§ 24. Mr. Alisonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the figure showing United Kingdom imports of manufactures as a percentage of total imports in the years 1964 and 1965, respectively.
§ Mr. Darling14.7 and 15.3 per cent.
§ Mr. AlisonDoes the right hon.Gentleman agree that this represents a very small proportion of our total imports, certainly compared with the imports of manufactures in comparable industrial countries? Does he agree that we should encourage these imports as a natural corollary to our expanding exports?
§ Mr. DarlingThe proportion has been increasing, as the hon. Member probably knows. In fact, there was a rather rapid growth over the last 10 years-18 per cent. a year—and this reflects the increasing trade between industrial countries. I think that this will continue.
§ 52. Mr. Turtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increase in the imports of miscellaneous manufactured articles during recent months, he proposes to take any emergency action.
§ Mr. DarlingNo, Sir.
§ Mr. TurtonIn view of the fact that this class of imports has increased by 375 per cent. during the last five years, will the right hon. Gentleman take action to prevent this very great danger to our balance of trade?
§ Mr. DarlingNo, Sir. As I said in my previous reply, this is a tendency in the 1700 trade of industrial countries, one with another, and the right hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that the increase has been substantial in recent years—certainly in the last 10 to 12 years—and I think that it will go on.