HC Deb 12 May 1953 vol 515 cc1032-3
10. Mr. Edelman

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimate of the export loss arising from the recent strike at the Austin Motor Company.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I am unable to make any estimate.

Mr. Edelman

Is it not the case that many tens of millions of pounds worth of exports may have been lost as a result of this strike? Is it not further the case that, whoever was the nominal victor in this strike, the country was the loser, and would the right hon. Gentleman bring this home to the intransigent men who were responsible for the prolongation of the strike and its conversion into a lockout?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to enter into the merits, on one side or the other, of that strike; it would be inappropriate if I did so. Obviously all stoppages of any kind whatsoever are to be deplored inasmuch as they affect our production and our exports.