HC Deb 14 April 1970 vol 799 cc1194-5
17. Mr. Dan Jones

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the total value of exports of building fitments, components and materials in 1968 and in 1969.

Mr. Loughlin

Figures are given in tables 64 and 65 of my Ministry's Monthly Bulletin of Construction Statistics. These show a rise from £141 million in 1968 to £170 million in 1969.

Mr. Jones

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the statistics, but could he indicate which individual commodities show an increase expressed in terms of value?

Mr. Loughlin

I think the rise in exports in 1968 and 1969 were pretty much across the board. Float glass, for example, was 61 per cent. up, prefabricated structural steel work 43 per cent. up, and prefabricated buildings 33 per cent. up. This is an indication of what is going on.

Mr. Christopher Ward

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether home demand was deliberately restrained to achieve these export figures?

Mr. Loughlin

I think that sometimes the hon. Member confuses perspiration with inspiration.