HC Deb 28 April 1936 vol 311 cc744-5W
Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the unfavourable trade balance between this country and Denmark has been reduced as the result of the operation of the trade agreement between that country and Great Britain; and what has been the amount of such adverse balance for each of the past five years?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Commercial Agreement with Denmark came into force on 20th June, 1933, and comparisons for the full three-year period of its validity cannot therefore yet be made. United Kingdom statistics indicate, however, that in the five-year period, to which my hon. Friend refers, the adverse balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Denmark was reduced from approximately £37.5 million in 1931 to approximately £17.5 million in 1935.

The following table shows the total declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in trade with Denmark (including Faröe Islands) during each of the years 1931 to 1935, together with the excess of imports over exports.
Year. Imports into the United Kingdom consigned from Denmark. Exports consigned to Denmark from the United Kingdom. Excess of Imports over Exports.
Produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom. Imported Merchandise. Total Exports.
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
1931 46,696 8,656 557 9,213 37,483
1932 40,570 9,853 498 10,351 30,219
1933 35,428 11,797 477 12,274 23,154
1934 32,885 13,356 731 14,087 18,798
1935 32,037 13,765 776 14,541 17,496