§ 14. Mr. Elliottasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the place occupied today by the United States of America as an export market for the United Kingdom, compared with its position in relation to other United Kingdom export markets in 1948.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe United States of America is now our largest export market; in 1948 it occupied sixth place. Our exports have risen from £63.5 million in 1948 to £272.5 million in 1958.
§ Mr. ElliottWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that most encouraging reply, may I ask him what are our prospects for further enlarging our market in the United States of America?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI hope that we have every chance of increasing our exports to that market which, despite some of the obstacles that have been placed in the way, in general offers great opportunities to our exports.
§ 15. Sir A. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade what success the Government have had in stimulating exports of capital and consumer goods to the United States of America in the last seven years.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganExports of manufactured goods to the United States rose from £124 million in 1952 to £245 million in 1958. For the main classes of consumer goods, including cars, the increase was from £89 million to £160 million. For the remainder, mainly capital goods, the increase was from about £35 million to about £85 million. I should like to pay tribute to the enterprise shown by exporters in this very important market and also of course to the great work done by the Dollar Export Council.
§ Sir A. HurdWill my hon. Friend add a word about the part which Government agencies have played? The Question asks particularly "what success the Government have had". Can the Minister of State say whether we have been effective through our commercial attaches. and so on?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI think that they have been very effective. We work in the closest co-operation with the 11 Dollar Export Council. I should also like to pay a tribute to the role of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
§ Mr. RobensCan the Minister of State tell us something about the rejection of English tenders on the ground of State security, about which the Prime Minister spoke to General Eisenhower when he was in Washington?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI am afraid not at the moment.