§ Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the British Consular Report on Trade in the Argentine Republic for the year 1911 was only issued in December, 1012; where this delay occurred; whether the value of such Reports is much lessened by the lateness of their publication; and whether he will make representations to foreign Powers pointing out the desirability of the earlier compilation and issue of their trade statistics?
§ Sir E. GREYIn compiling the Report for 1911 on the trade and commerce of the Consular district of Buenos Ayres, His2288W Majesty's Consul had to contend with the difficulties caused by the absence of detailed official statistics, which, as pointed out in the first paragraph of the 19il Report, do not appear until about two years after the end of the year to which they refer. In addition, His Majesty's Consul was in this instance new to the post, and was carrying on his duties under great pressure of work owing to the large increase of business. Representations such as are suggested in the last part of the question would not be likely to be effective, but I agree with the object which my hon. Friend has in view.