HC Deb 21 April 1952 vol 499 c20
36. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the annual cost for the last 12 months for which figures are available of imports into Great Britain of oil and fuel from the dollar area and what percentage does this represent of the total annual cost of dollar imports for the same period.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

A sum of £92 million, f.o.b., or 12½ per cent. of our total visible imports from the dollar area.

Sir W. Smithers

Will my right hon. Friend make a public announcement to cover the specific point raised in this Question, and in all industries, that this country has got to produce the goods and services at world competitive prices or starve, and that has to be done at whatever sacrifice and whatever effort? Will he do that?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that is well known.