§ Mr. McELWEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Russian doors are now cheaper at British ports than the rough-sawn timber from which the doors are made; and will he reconsider his previous decision and inquire into the reasons for this discrepancy in prices?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHInquiries which have been made recently show that the position remains as stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 28th April last.
Retained Import of Manufactured Goods. Country. First four months of 1929. First four months of 1930. First four months of 1931. £'000. £'000. £'000. Germany … 38,441 32,749 22,217 France … 24,716 32,328 26,658 First three months of 1929. First three months of 1930. First three months of 1931. Belgo-Luxemburg Economic Union … 12,762 15,057 10,515 United States* … 91,800 80,883 50,035 Domestic Exports of Manufactured Goods. Country. First four months of 1929. First four months of 1930. First four months of 1931. £'000. £'000. £'000. Germany† … 151,204 152,669 119,833 France … 81,890 79,268 57,538 First three months of 1929. First three months of 1930. First three months of 1931. Belgo-Lnxemburg Economic Union … 22,646 23,827 19,279 United States … 183,206 147,977 89,754 * Total Imports. † Including the Value of Deliveries on account of Reparations. Notes.
1. The range of articles included as "wholly or partly manufactured" varies according to the classification adopted in the trade returns of the respective countries. Figures based throughout on a uniform classification are not available. The classes of goods included above are described in the trade returns of the respective countries as follows, manufactured foodstuffs being excluded throughout:—
Germany "Fertige Waren." France "Objets Fabriqués." Belgo-Luxemburg Economic Union "Produits Fabriqués." United States "Manufactures ready for consumption" and "Manufactures for further use in manufacturing." 2. The particulars for April, 1931, in respect of the Belgo-Luxemburg Economic Union and the United States are not yet available.
3. The values have been converted into sterling at the par rates of exchange.
4. The figures for 1931 are provisional.