§ 71. Mr. Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the furniture trade is now an exporting industry; to which countries; and, particularly, with what types of furniture.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn the first four months of this year exports of wooden furniture amounted to £300,937, which is about 1 per cent. of total production. Exports are mainly of cabinet furniture and the more important markets have been the Channel Islands, the United States and Middle and Near Eastern countries, exports of metal furniture in these four months amounted to £983,152, or about 20 per cent. of production. Markets are widespread, the British Commonwealth and Iran being the most important.