Imports

HC Deb 14 February 1977 vol 926 cc16-8

15. Mr. Ronald Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total value of imports into the United Kingdom for the first nine months of 1976; and what proportions of this were manufactured goods, including machinery and transport equipment, fuel, food, drink and tobacco, raw materials and chemicals, respectively.

Mr. Meacher

£22,000 million cif, of which manufactured goods, excluding chemicals, accounted for 47 per cent., chemicals 6 per cent., fuel 19 per cent., food 14 per cent., drink and tobacco 1 per cent. and raw materials 10 per cent.

Mr. Atkins

Is the proportion of manufactured exports still too low, despite price competitiveness, because of the falling value of the pound or the fall in real wages? What is wrong? Has it been due to exporters lacking energy or to the protection of foreign domestic markets?

Mr. Meacher

The level of manufactured exports is never something that any Minister in the Department of Trade can be entirely satisfied with. One would like to see it higher both relative to our total exports and in absolute terms. Of course the industrial strategy, which brings together both sides of industry with the Government, is precisely intended to increase our share both of domestic markets and of markets overseas. The reasons for the lack of success in the past are very deep, and the industrial strategy intends to get at the roots of some of these in the medium term.

Mr. Michael Morris

In view of the speed with which the EEC dealt with the dumping of bearings, may we have an undertaking that before these matters go over to the EEC the Minister will get rid of many cases that are sitting in his Department?

Mr. Meacher

We shall certainly endeavour to wind up as many of the cases as we can before 1st July 1977. I welcome what the hon. Gentleman has said about the EEC. However, most of the applications that we have had from British industry are concerned about exactly the reverse.

Mr. Powell

Why does the Minister want to see a higher proportion of Britain's exports represented by manufactured goods?

Mr. Meacher

Because that is in the interests of Britain as a major manufacturing country within the West.

Mr. Loyden

Does not my hon. Friend agree that concern is being expressed in certain parts of British industry about the apparent development of protectionism against British manufactured goods? For example, it is alleged that British Leyland is importing from the United States machinery the equivalent of which is being built in this country, while its goods are still restricted by the United States. Also, in the shipbuilding industry the intervention by the Irish Government denied a Merseyside contractor getting a contract even though the price he tendered was 40 per cent. below that of his nearest rival.

Mr. Meacher

We are concerned about tariffs, particularly in respect of textiles but also in the case of certain manufactures that my hon. Friend has mentioned which are significantly higher than the tariffs on imports into this country. I can assure my hon. Friend that, consistent with the requirements laid on us under GATT, we do everything possible. particularly in the multi-lateral trade negotiations, to reduce overseas tariffs.

Mr. Spriggs

What machinery exists to protect British industry against the re-export of manufactured goods from our Common Market partners?

Mr. Meacher

I am not quite clear as to the exact relation of that supplementary question to the Question on the Order Paper, but my understanding is that, under Section 7 of the Import Duties Act 1953, there are normal drawback facilities which apply in these cases. I am not aware of difficulties. Perhaps my hon. Friend will contact me about any of which he knows.