§ 13. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the level of British capital outlay overseas including investment by industry, and bilateral and multilateral aid in the first quarter of the current year; what has been the corresponding level of capital expenditure and investment from overseas in this country; how the position differs from the same period last year; and what is now the underlying trend.
§ Mr. DiamondEstimates of United Kingdom long-term capital transactions in the first quarter will be published on 219 12th June. Estimates for the four quarters of 1968 were published in the March 1969 issue of "Economic Trends". I have nothing to add to the forecasts in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.
§ Mr. OsbornWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the trend of investment from overseas in this country is continuing, and that it will support rising investment overseas during the current year?
§ Mr. DiamondThe statement made in the first part of the question is correct, and, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the trend of investment overseas went up last year.