§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what was the adverse balance of trade in 1917, or, if the figures are not available, in 1916, after the Government imports for our Allies have been deducted; and, in view of the fact that the imports bear the cost of freight and our shipping profits can be fairly set against them, whether he can give an estimate of our shipping profits for the same year and of the value of bunker coal supplied to ships which is not included in exports?
Sir A. STANLEYThe particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend involve information of a confidential character which I am not in a position to furnish.