HC Deb 31 March 1909 vol 3 cc454-6W
Mr. ERSKINE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the value of imports and exports of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the German Empire, and France, for each of the years 1907 and 1908, distinguishing separately the imports and exports of food, raw materials, and manufactures?

Mr. TENNANT

The following statements, which have been compiled from the official trade returns of the countries re- ferred to, give the information desired by my hon. Friend. I have to point out, however, that material differences exist in the methods of classification of imports and exports adopted by the respective countries, and that the results for particular categories are therefore not absolutely comparable.

Statements showing for the years 1907 and 1908 the values of the imports for home consumption and exports of domestic produce into and from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany and France, distinguishing separately the imports and exports of (A) food, (B) raw material, and (C) manufactures:—

I.—IMPORTS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.
Years. United Kingdom.* United States* (Years ended 30th June). Germany† France.
(A) Food.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 235.1 63.2 119.5 41.5
1908 233.4 59.9 114.1¶ 36.8¶
(B) Raw Materials.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 188.6 96.5 218.0 160.5
1908 158.2 73.4 210.0¶ 160.8¶
(C) Manufactures.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 127.9 131.4 92.5 46.9
1908 119.8 108.0 85.0 46.0
(D) Total.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 553.9‡ 293.2§ 430.0 240.9
1908 513.5‡ 243.4§ 409.1¶ 243.6¶
* Net imports, i.e., total imports, less re-exports.
† The particulars given relate to the German Wirtschaftsgebiet, which includes Luxemburg.
‡ Includes Parcel Post and miscellaneous and unclassified articles valued it 2.2 million £ in 1907. and 2.1 million £ in 1908.
§ Includes miscellaneous and unclassified articles valued at 2.1 million £, in 1907 and 2.1 million £ in 1908.
¶ The German and French figures for 1908 are official values based on the prices prevailing in 1907.

II.—EXPORTS FOR DOMESTIC PRODUCE.
Years United Kingdom. United States (years ended 30th June). Germany.* France.
(A) Food.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 22.7 106.9 26.6 29.9
1908 21.9 108.5 31.5† 29.5‡
(B) Raw Materials.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 55.0 123.6 73.8 60.3
1908 52.4 116.0 75.7 59.0‡
(C) Manufactures.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 342.0 154–2 236.4 133.6
1908 297.1 156–4 224.8‡ 122.4‡
(D) Total.
Million £ Million £ Million £ Million £
1907 426.0† 386.2§ 336.8 223.8
1908 377.2† 382.2§ 332.0‡ 210.9‡.
* The particulars given relate to the German Wirtschaftsgebiet. which includes Luxemburg.
† Includes Parcel Post, and miscellaneous and unclassified articles valued at—6.3 million £ in 1907, and at 5.8 million £ in 1908.
§ Includes miscellaneous and unclassified articles valued at—1.5 million £ in 1907 and at 1.3 million £ in 1908.
‡ The German and French figures for 1903 are official values based on the prices prevailing in 1907.