HC Deb 29 May 1968 vol 765 cc1817-8
31. Mr. Kenneth Baker

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the recommendations of the Bland Report on Britain's Invisible Earnings have been implemented by the Government.

Mr. Crosland

I have already given the House details of some of the steps taken since the publication of the Bland Report, such as the references to invisible earnings in the presentation of the monthly trade figures, the help to the hotel industry to increase tourist earnings and the creation of the new permanent Committee on Invisible Exports.

The main task of this new Committee, on which my Department, the Treasury and the Bank of England are represented, will be to suggest and where possible implement measures to encourage invisible earnings in the light of the conclusions and recommendations of the Bland Report.

Mr. Baker

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is rather disappointing that so little has been done at this stage as a result of the Bland Report? In particular, can he give urgency to the monthly or quarterly publication of invisible earnings, as these figures would possibly help to dissipate the gloom of our monthly trade figures?

Mr. Crosland

I would not accept the hon. Gentleman's opening remark. A good deal has been done since the Report came out. We now include a reference to the invisible account in the monthly trade figures and, of course, the quarterly figures for invisible accounts are regularly published. I am not clear that there is anything more we can do, but if the hon. Gentleman has any suggestion to make I will gladly consider it.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the Government persist in giving help of one sort or another to manufacturing industry and discriminating against those firms which contribute to invisible earnings, nothing the Government do or say about this will carry conviction?

Mr. Crosland

What will carry conviction, if not with the hon. Gentleman at any rate with objective observers, is that the first quarter's figures for invisible accounts will show a very marked increase.