§ Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before setting up any more committees under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, he will carefully consider the Board of Trade Returns for the year 1921, which show a reduction of 50 per cent, in our total imports for that year, and also the Board of Trade Returns for the months of January and February, 1922, which show a further decline against those of the year 1921, so that the time and money expended in holding these inquiries might be more usefully and profitably spent?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am unable to accept the figures as stated by the hon. Member. Though it is true that the money values of imports as shown in the trade accounts are much below those recorded a year ago, the volume of trade in recent months has shown little, if any, falling off from that of a year earlier. The premises on which the hon. Member's suggestion would appear to be based are accordingly unsound.