61. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government are taking to improve the balance between the imports and exports of this country?
Mr. StanleyThe question of adjustment of the balance of visible trade does not lend itself to discussion by way of Question and Answer, but, as has fre- 1031 quently been stated in this House, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to stimulate United Kingdom export trade by all practicable methods—including, in particular, the negotiation of bilateral agreements and participation in efforts to revive world trade by a general lowering of economic barriers.
Mr. De la BèreAre the Government aware of the serious position owing to the decrease in invisible exports which become more and more invisible owing to the failure of the Foreign Office and the Foreign Bondholders' Council to take prompt, effective action, and when will they really treat this matter seriously?
Mr. StanleyAs a matter of fact, over the past few years these invisible exports, although remaining constant in their invisibility, have been increasing.