§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the countries over which he has control 966W show in their trade statistics whether so-called British imports always come from Great Britain, or whether there is much trans-shipment; whether these reports show what proportion of the suppliesfrom Holland, Italy and Denmark originated in those countries, and whether any proportion came from Central Europe: and, if not, whether he can give instructions that a more accurate designation of the places of origin should be published?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWhere the country of origin is known, goods are shown- in trade statistics as imported thence, but it is not possible to obtain this information in all cases, and goods are then shown according to the countries whence consigned. I am unable to say whether there is much trans-shipment in this country or not. The same remarks apply to imports from Holland, Italy and Denmark. With regard to the last part of the inquiry, the whole question of the form of these statistics was recently reviewed, and I am advised that the present form is the most convenient and that an attempt at any greater accuracy would only cause, in regard to goods not entitled to preferential rates of duty, trouble to traders without securing its desired object.