§ 29. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade how the current economic expansion of the member countries of the European Free Trade Association compares with that of the member countries of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. ErrollThe growth of national production has varied from country to country, but on average it has been greater in recent years in the European Economic Community than in the countries of the European Free Trade Association. My hon. Friend can obtain further details of the economic expansion of the various European countries from the National Accounts published by the O.E.E.C. in its Bulletins of General Statistics for July and September, 1961.
§ Mr. GaitskellWill the President of the Board of Trade confirm that one 579 should not, nevertheless, draw too many deductions from these comparisons since there are all sorts of reasons which may explain the difference in the rate of expansion between the two groups?
§ Mr. ErrollFor once I can be grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for having given me the supplementary answer which I would have made myself had I been asked the question.