HL Deb 16 July 1985 vol 466 cc606-7

2.45 p.m.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

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 how many agricultural tractors were exported by the United Kingdom in the last twelve months.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)

My Lords, in the period from June 1984 to May 1985 the United Kingdom exported 95,491 wheeled agricultural and forestry tractors, maintaining this country's position as the world's largest exporter.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I should like to congratulate the Minister on this admirable piece of information. I hope very much that that position will be maintained and that we shall be able to continue to export tractors at this rate. That will obviously produce a lot of employment, and it is also very valuable for the agricultural industry.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I am most grateful. Perhaps my noble friend will allow me to say that her congratulations to me are misplaced. The congratulations are due to the industry which have done so well.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, can the Minister say how many tractors were imported in the same period?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, yes; it was in the region of 16,500.

Lord Glenamara

My Lords, will the noble Lord say how many of the tractors exported were second-hand?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

No, my Lords, since the original Question refers to new products.

Viscount Hanworth

My Lords, will the noble Lord agree that there is a problem now, and possibly there will be one more so in the future, in so far as some countries—one of them being in South America—will not allow imports of tractors? This is presumably because they have their own firms which make them. Will the noble Lord agree that this is becoming an increasing problem for firms which are exporting from the United Kingdom?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, there are certain problems with regard to non-tariff barriers. But it is not totally true to say that all South American states prohibit the import of our tractors. For example, Mexico took 2,800 of our tractors last year.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, is it possible for the noble Lord the Minister to say how many tractors were exported to Commonwealth countries?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

Yes, my Lords, it is. Of the notable Commonwealth countries, Australia took 2,600. We then find ourselves with rather lower figures which account for around 42 per cent., some of which went to Commonwealth countries in varying and different numbers.

Lord Glenamara

Is the noble Lord aware, with regard to his reply to me, that there is nothing in the Question about new tractors? Is he aware that there is a considerable export trade in second-hand tractors, and that this is to be greatly encouraged?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, there is a very large volume of used-tractor exports. It is a matter which is valuable to the new tractor industry. It is one which is encouraged through various agencies, and something which we hope will continue.