§ 15. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the motor industry, which, before 1951, exported two-thirds of its output, 12 now exports less than half; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter.
§ Mr. LowYes, Sir. The industry is fully alive to the importance of increasing its exports, and I have nothing to add to recent statements by my right hon. Friend on that subject.
§ Miss BurtonThat, of course, gets us nowhere at all. Has information reached the Board of Trade that yesterday there was a meeting in Birmingham of representatives of trade unions very much affected in this matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that a statement was made at that meeting that, while British motor production had doubled since 1951, about 80 per cent. of it had been sold on the home market? Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it is time he did something about it?
§ Mr. LowWe have previously discussed this matter at some length. I have seen reports in the Press of the meeting to which the hon. Lady refers. I have nothing to add to the answers which my right hon. Friend has given to her and to others.