§ 2. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the trade balance between this country and Norway in January, 1964, and in January, 1965, respectively.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Edward Redhead)Figures of our trade with Norway can be obtained from page 283 of the Overseas Trade Accounts for January, 1965.
§ Mr. DigbyWhatever the figures are, does not this appear to be an example where the import surcharge has converted a favourable trade balance into an adverse trade balance?
§ Mr. RedheadNo, Sir. The whole of the drop in our exports to Norway between January, 1964, and January, 1965, is accounted for by the single item "Ships and Boats" which fell from £3.6 million to £10,000. The value of this item is bound to vary greatly in individual months.