HL Deb 13 May 1983 vol 442 cc708-10

11.12 a.m.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied with the current volume of trade between the United Kingdom and Canada: what were the respective figures of imports and exports for the years 1979–80 and 1981–82; and what immediate measures they have in mind to increase United Kingdom exports to the Canadian market.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, there are sound historical reasons why our two-way trade with Canada has declined. But Her Majesty's Government are not content to see this decline continue further. The British Overseas Trade Board provides a wide range of services to exporters to Canada. Its North America Branch is working with the North American Advisory Group and with our commercial representatives in Canada to identify particular areas of opportunity which can be brought to the attention of British Industry. I am arranging for the detailed figures to be published in the Official Report.

Following is the information referred to:

The figures of U.K./Canada trade requested are as follows:

1979 1980 1981 1982
£m £m £m £m
U.K. Imports 1,272 1,412 1,509 1,440
U.K. Exports 767 752 845 852

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, may I thank my noble friend the Minister for that very careful reply. May I ask him whether he is aware that I have just returned from Canada, from the Second Commonwealth Conference of the Delegated Legislated Committee? Is he aware further that our consul in Toronto asked personally to see me to express certain anxieties implied in the Question? Will he accept that there is still a deficit in Canada's favour in our overall exports? Will he also say whether joint ventures, particularly with small companies, are going to be seriously considered by Her Majesty's Government? Will he not agree that in items such as medical equipment this will do much to restore the imbalance with one of our most valued Commonwealth countries?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I am most interested to learn of my noble friend's peregrinations, and of all the work that he did when he was in Canada. My noble friend will be able to read the figures of the trade deficit between this country and Canada in the Official Report. I am able to assure my noble friend and the House that the Government take very seriously the prospects of improving our trade with Canada. I am sure that he will be pleased to know of the highly successful seminar in London in March of this year which was held in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Industry and Trade. This was attended by no fewer than 50 Canadian firms and over 300 British companies. The areas of trade and industry which were covered were wide and included speciality foodstuffs (which, I am informed, covered Scottish game soup), medical equipment, plastics and defence procurement.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the decline of our trade with Canada and other Commonwealth countries is a very regrettable feature of our membership of the Common Market? May we not all look forward to our coming out of the Common Market after the coming general election?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the noble Lord is extremely eloquent in putting his own point of view.