HC Deb 17 December 1945 vol 417 cc893-4
4. Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of U.S. exports of manufactures to Eire during the past six months, as compared with those from this country.

Sir S. Cripps

Exports to Eire of United Kingdom goods classified as wholly or mainly manufactured amounted to £6,140,000 in the six months April to September, 1945. The value of similar goods exported from the United States to Eire during this period was roughly £320,000.

Squadron-Leader Donner

Is the Minister aware that Dublin shops are full of American goods and that this represents a failure to capture a market on our doorstep?

Sir S. Cripps

I cannot see how that could be, as we exported 20 times more goods to Eire than America.

Lieut.-Colonel Lindsay

Will the Minister read his replies a little more slowly, so that we can hear them?