HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 c1960
49. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the fall in the value of United Kingdom exports to Peru, Chile, Bolivia and the Argentine Republic in 1953 compared with 1952

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I could not attempt, in the compass of Question and answer, to analyse the various causes that may have contributed to the decline in our exports to these four countries. Peru and Chile, however, are both short of sterling; Bolivia is short of foreign exchange in general and is restricting imports from all sources; while there has been a regrettable delay in the issue of import licences in Argentina.

Mr. Russell

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he expects that the recent tour of the Minister of State, Board of Trade, will make a great improvement in this import position?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think that the visit of my right hon. Friend to the South American continent will certainly do a great deal of good.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Since the prospect of British exports to Latin-America would be greatly improved if the United Nations technical assistance work were expanded, will the President press his colleagues to secure a larger allocation of British currency for that?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I will bear that in mind.