§ Sir W. Robson Brownasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the heavy and continuous adverse balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Canada of £251 million, the United States of America of £153 million, the Netherlands of £68 million, Denmark of £67 million, and Belgium of £51 million; and what steps he is taking to reverse the situation disclosed by these figures.
§ Mr. JayYes, except that with Belgium we had a surplus, not a deficit, of £52 million.
I have kept the House regularly informed of the steps which the Government are taking to increase British exports both by negotiating with other Governments for the reduction of tariffs and other obstacles to trade, and by assisting traders to promote their sales overseas. Surpluses earned by our trade with one country can of course as a rule be set off against deficits with others.