Exports to Australia

HC Deb 05 July 1971 vol 820 cc912-3

20. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of British exports to Australia in 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively; and what proportion of this is represented by the products of the shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Anthony Grant

£321 million, £323 million and £346 million respectively, of which ships and boats represented between 1 and 1½ per cent.

Mr. Redmond

Does my hon. Friend agree that these figures do not show that Australia has been particularly anxious to give assistance to British industries in need of support? Have any representations recently been made to Australia on that subject?

Mr. Grant

I do not entirely accept everything said by my hon. Friend. I am not aware of any representations having been made in that respect.