South America

HC Deb 29 November 1955 vol 546 cc2102-3

19. Mr. Gower

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement upon current trends in trade with South American countries; and what proposals he has for facilitating the growth of this trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Our exports to the dollar countries of South America have been gradually increasing. In the non-dollar countries there has been no significant change in our total exports during the last three years. The Government's policies for reducing inflation at home are designed to stimulate growth of our exports as a whole, and the Government's general services to exporters are fully available to facilitate trade with South America. In addition, the Dollar Exports Council, with the Government's support, includes the dollar countries in this area within the scope of its activities.

Mr. Gower

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask how far the ability of such countries as the Argentine and Brazil to purchase from this country has been affected by the recent reduction in our coal exports?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No, Sir, not without notice.

Mr. Stokes

Would the Minister state in figures what "gradually" means in the case of the Argentine?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I will let the right hon. Gentleman have the figures.

Mr. Bottomley

Although there has been an increase in the figures, can the right hon. Gentleman state how they compare with those for 1952–53–54?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the right hon. Gentleman will put down a Question asking for the figures of the particular years which he wants, I will at once give him any figures he requires.

Mr. K. Thompson

More to the point, can my right hon. Friend say what steps we are taking to increase our exports to those countries and what special negotiations are being held either with the Argentine or Brazil at present?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If my hon. Friend will look at the Answer, he will see that the main purpose of our policy at present is to reduce the inflation at home in order that we may export more abroad. If I may say so, it is very much to the point to follow out an internal policy of that kind rather than to hope to increase trade by bilateral negotiations outside.