§ Mr. CROSSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the imports into British West Africa of Russian cotton-piece goods have expanded from 81,000 square yards in January-June, 1933, to 3,693,000 square yards in January-June, 1934; that Russian grey cloth, the value of which per yard is only about three-quarters of that of British grey cloth, constitutes more than one-third of these imports; and whether, in these circumstances, there are steps 852W which he is able and prepared to take for the purpose of stopping or diminishing this new source of supply?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe subject of imports of Russian textile goods into British West Africa is at present receiving consideration. I do not think it is possible to make an accurate comparison of the figures for January to June, 1933, with those for January to June, 1934, since in 1933 the import statistics of Nigeria and the Gold Coast were classified according to country of consignment, while since 1st January, 1934, they have been classified according to country of origin.