§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the question in the name of my noble friend Viscount Stonehaven.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether the value of goods, materials and supplies sent to N.A.A.F.I. establishments overseas are included in the Board of Trade monthly export figures in addition to similar figures for U.N.R.R.A.; if this is so, what was the value so included for the months of January, February and March, 1946; what is the reason for including among commercial export 1011 figures the value of such supplies sent to, and consumed by, our own Forces and goods, etc., sent for relief of distressed persons which have no normal commercial significance.]
LORD PAKENHAMMy Lords, shipments of goods to N.A.A.F.I. establishments abroad are included in the export statistics. These goods are not at present recorded separately, but the question of keeping a separate record is being considered. A precise figure of their value in any month cannot be given, but it is understood from N.A.A.F.I. that in the first three months of 1946 the average monthly value of such export was about £5,000,000. These supplies are regarded as exports of United Kingdom produce, since they form part of the United Kingdom production and are sold abroad. As regards U.N.R.R.A. supplies from this country, shipments now are primarily for rehabilitation, and not for the relief of distressed persons. As such they can be treated as similar in kind to other exports.