HC Deb 28 January 1937 vol 319 cc1097-8W
Sir J. Nail

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increases have occurred in importations into this country from India during the past three years of commodities granted preferential terms under the United Kingdom-India Com- mercial Agreement; and what changes, if any, have occurred in the volume of the exports to India of United Kingdom cotton piece-goods during the same period?

Dr. Burgin

The only particulars readily available in answer to the first part of the question relate to the years 1933 to 1935 and are included among certain statistical tables compiled and published by the Government of India in a report on the working of the scheme of preferences resulting from the Ottawa Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom. According to this report, the imports into the United Kingdom from India of articles enjoying preference were valued at approximately £28.4 million in 1933, £29.9 million in 1934 and £30.5 million in 1935. During the same years, the exports to India of cotton piece-goods manufactured in the United Kingdom amounted to 486, 583 and 543 million square yards.