asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now able to state the net balance of the external trade for the year ended 31st December, 1933; and if he will indicate the various items of invisible trade taken into account in arriving at such balance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Net Balance of External Trade for 1933.
I must again refer the Deputy to the reply to the question which he addressed to me on the 14th June, 1934. No further information is yet available.
Is it then the position that no progress has been made since the 14th June, 1934, in estimating what is our net balance of external trade?
No, I would not say that no progress has been made, but I am not yet in a position to give any definite information.
Any full reply?
Yes.
In view of the fact that the answer on the 14th June last contained figures that were not correct and that the Minister corrected them subsequently in the course of correspondence with me, will the Minister, if I repeat the question next week, re-state the position in so far as he is able to give the complete information?
The circumstances of that reply to which the Deputy refers indicate the difficulty of giving a full answer to the question.
Is the Minister aware, in so far as the records of the House are concerned, that the information in regard to the items in respect of which he has information is wrong?
The figure was only an estimate, in any event.
Surely the Minister understands that some additional statement is expected from him arising out of whatever has come to his knowledge since the 14th June last? Any comment he has to make on it might be made in a reasoned way. If I repeat the question next week will the Minister correct the figures in so far as they are wrong, and will he add a reasoned statement as to the difficulties that confront him in regard to estimating the position?
I will consider the matter. I would not like to give a reply now.