HC Deb 24 June 1947 vol 439 cc28-9W
63. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons engaged in manufacture for export in March, 1939, and March, 1947, respectively; and the quantity of goods exported during the same period.

Mr. Belcher

The estimated number of insured persons employed in manufacture for export in March, 1947, was 1,444,000. No information about numbers employed on export work was collected before -She war, so that no accurate comparison is possible. The published figure of 930,000 for June, 1939, is only very roughly comparable, as it was estimated by quite a different method. Figures for the total quantity of goods exported are not available, as some items are recorded by value only, and I can only give estimates. The volume of exports of United Kingdom goods, which is calculated by revaluing all exports at average values of the year 1938, is estimated at 101 per cent. of that year in the first quarter of this year, compared with 104 per cent. in the first quarter of 1939.