§ 10. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of British exports held up at the ports and in this country by value and weight due to the seamen's strike.
§ Mr. OsbornIs it not true that, although manufacturers have shipped their goods from their works, these goods have stayed on board ship during the period of the strike, and has not this accounted for large delays? I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman has no knowledge of this.
§ Mr. JayIt is true that the shipping strike has done serious harm to our exports and to our balance of payments, but it has, happily, not been as disastrous as some people foretold. As to the statistical measure of it, I do not think that we shall get a better one than the trade figures published yesterday.
§ 12. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will estimate the long-term effect of the seamen's strike on the 1966 trade balance so far.
§ Mr. JayNo reliable estimate can be made of the long-term effect, which depends on our success in the coming months in recovering the losses caused by the strike.
§ Mr. OsbornWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the statistics published yesterday indicate the effects so far? Can he say whether new exports will vary at the rate provided in the National Plan?
§ Mr. JayI cannot say as to the next few months, because I think that we must expect the trade figures for two or three months to be distorted by the effects of the strike.
§ Mr. BarberHas the Board of Trade made any estimate of the extent to which the £105 million trade gap for June was due to the seamen's strike and, if it has, although it must be approximate, may the House be told?
§ Mr. JayIt was clear to everyone that the strike in June would affect exports more than imports. Therefore, I think 1694 that if the hon. Gentleman compares the June figures with those of May he can get as good an estimate as it is possible to get of the effects of the strike during June.
§ 15. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade how much car exports have fallen as a result of the seamen's strike; what has been the increase to the home market; what effect this is having on the balance of payments; how long he estimates it will take for exports to be recaptured; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayThe loss of exports cannot be accurately measured. I expect most of it to be quickly regained, and the eventual loss to the balance of payments to be small—on account of cars. Relatively few cars produced for export were sold in the home market during the strike.
§ Sir C. OsborneCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that he feels that we shall recapture the orders that we lost, or are some of them lost and gone for ever?
§ Mr. JayIf the hon. Gentleman is referring to cars, which are mentioned in his Question, I am assured by the industry that there was a remarkably small loss of exports, except to Australia and New Zealand, and here I do not think that we need fear any serious loss.