§ Sir W. Edgeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, to ensure the maintenance of British export trade, he is considering how assistance can be given to firms using raw materials for which there is great competition to prevent the overwhelming absorption of such materials by organisations working for Government Defence Departments?
§ Dr. BurginIf my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case in which the absorption of raw materials for armament orders is preventing manufacturers from executing export orders, I shall be glad to consider them.
Statement showing the value of merchandise imported into the Self-governing Dominions and British India from the United Kingdom during the years 1934 to 1936, expressed as a proportion of imports from all countries. — 1934. 1935. 1936. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Canada … … 22.1 21.2 19.4 Commonwealth of Australia … … 44.3 42.5 41.8(a) New Zealand … … 50.4 50.3 48.9(b) Union of South Africa … … 48.8 48.7 45.4(a) Irish Free State (c) … (1) 66.7 72.4 — … (2) — 53.9(d) 53.3 British India (by sea) … … 40.5 39.3 39.0 Note:—In the case of Canada and British India the figures relate to imports consigned from the United Kingdom. For Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa the figures relate to imports of United Kingdom origin. (a) January—September. (b) January—October. (c) The figures in the first line represent the proportion of imports consigned from the United Kingdom and those in the second line represent the proportion of imports of United Kingdom origin. (d) April—December.