§ Mr. Lathanasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, following upon the increase of United Kingdom exports 987W and re-exports to the United States as the result of the lowering of the United States tariffs, there has been any corresponding increase of United Kingdom imports from the United States; and what are the prospects of a trade agreement?
§ Mr. RuncimanIt would not be safe to assume that the recent increase in United Kingdom exports and re-exports to the United States of America is mainly attributable to the reductions which have been made in the United States tariff since 1934. The value of imports of merchandise from the United States into this country has increased from about £82,000,000 in 1934 to rather over £93,000,000 in 1936. As regards the second part of the question, the exploratory discussions to which I referred in reply to questions asked by the hon. Members for Dorset, East (Mr. Hall-Caine) and South-West Bethnal Green (Sir. P. Harris) on 9th February and the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green on 23rd February, are still proceeding.