HC Deb 12 November 1953 vol 520 cc1134-5
35. Mr. Bottomley

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume of imports and exports between the United Kingdom and other members of the Commonwealth for the years 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the figures are substantially better than the pre-war figures and are due to bulk buying and long-term trade agreements? What authority was there for saying to Australia at this moment that this system is to end forthwith?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will look at the figures before he starts basing an argument upon them.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since the already published figures of his Department show a very big increase in exports to and imports from the Commonwealth in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 as compared with 1938, surely the right hon. Gentleman can answer my right hon. Friend's Question now.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The right hon. Gentleman simply asked for figures, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If he puts down a Question of this sort I shall be very happy to answer it.

Following is the answer:

VOLUME OF UNITED KINGDOM TRADE WITH THE COMMONWEALTH (INCLUDING COLONIES)
— (1950= 100)
Imports into the United Kingdom United Kingdom exports
1947 … … 100 55
1948 … … 107 76
1949 … … 111 90
1950 … … 100 100
1951 … … 107 108
1952 … … 118 96