§ 3 Mr. Holtasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proportion of imports into the United Kingdom in 1952 came from the sterling area, excluding the Commonwealth;
(2) what proportion of imports into the United Kingdom in 1952 came from the non-sterling area, excluding dollar countries;
(3) what were the respective percentages of the United Kingdom exports during 1952 which went to the sterling area, and to the non-sterling area, excluding dollar countries.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe proportion of our total imports in 1952 which came from non-Commonwealth sterling countries was 4 per cent., and from non-sterling countries outside the dollar area 38 per cent. The proportion of United Kingdom exports in 1952 which went to the sterling area was 49 per cent., and to non-sterling countries outside the dollar area 38 per cent. If re-exports are included these figures would be 47 and 39 respectively.
§ Mr. HoltThough the implications of some of these figures need more careful study, would the right hon. Gentleman, in relation to this particular problem, care to make a statement on what appeared in the Press today about the English Electric Company being unsuccessful in obtaining an order for transformers and generators from the State Department of America, and whether Her Majesty's Government have made any representations on the subject? It seems a vital matter in connection with our dollar market.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThis Question merely asks for certain percentages to be given to the hon. Gentleman. If he has a particular case in mind, perhaps he will put it down on the Order Paper.