HC Deb 01 May 1967 vol 746 cc71-2
27. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the contribution to British export earnings made by the pharmaceutical industry during the past year, as compared with five years and 10 years ago, respectively.

Mr. K. Robinson

The value of exports of "Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Products" during 1966 was £66.78 million. The comparable figures for 1961 and 1956 were £48.76 million and £35.94 million.

Mr. Fisher

Is it not very much to the credit of the industry that, according to my information, its export earnings rose in four years by £20 million, from £55 million in 1962 to over £75 million last year? Will the right hon. Gentleman take this into account when studying the recommendations of the Sainsbury Committee?

Mr. Robinson

I shall take all relevant considerations into account when I receive that report. This is a good record. I think that the hon. Gentleman's figures and mine differ slightly. As a percentage of total exports, in ten years, the exports of pharmaceuticals have risen from 1.11 per cent. to 1.32 per cent. To complete the picture, I should remind the hon. Gentleman that there are offset payments which bring the net contribution to the balance of payments down in 1963 to about £35.5 million.

Mr. Braine

I am sure that the Minister will bear in mind the creditable achievements of this growth industry. Can he say when the Sainsbury Report will become available, and when the House will have an opportunity to discuss it?

Mr. Robinson

The Report will become available this summer, and I should like to await its receipt before I answer the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.