§ 2 Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under present conditions Great Britain is absorbing approximately 90 per cent. of Irish exports, whereas they are only placing about 50 per cent. of their import business with Great Britain, and that imports into Ireland from Germany, especially in respect of electrical equipment, are continuing to increase to the detriment of British producers; and whether in these circumstances he will now arrange for an early revision of the Anglo-Irish Commercial Agreement.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftUnited Kingdom exports to the Irish Republic last year totalled some £114 million as against imports of only £97.6 million. These figures do not suggest that the present arrangements operate to our disadvantage. I am aware that imports from Germany into the Irish Republic increased last year, though the total—£9.6 million—is still small compared with our own exports. I do not know what type of electrical equipment my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but imports into the Irish Republic of electrical machinery from Germany fell by roughly one-third in value in 1954 and 1955, while imports from the United Kingdom slightly increased.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the particular difficulties which are being faced by the pig and bacon industries of this country, which are greatly due to these large imports from Ireland?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think that raises a different question.