§ 73. Mr. Stewartasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the relatively small export and import trade now being carried on by the port towns on the Firth of Forth; what is the extent of the trade now as compared with prewar; and what steps are being taken to increase the trade in the near future.
Mr. H. WilsonYes. Import trade of the Firth of Forth ports was 2.3 per cent. by value of the total import trade of the United Kingdom in 1934 to 1938 and 1.7 per cent. in 1947 to 1948 the latest years for which figures are available. For United Kingdom exports and re-exports the corresponding figures were 1.6 per cent. and 1.0 per cent. respectively.
It is not the policy of the Government to encourage traders to use one port rather than another, but I hope that improvements in the facilities at these ' ports and the industrial developments which are taking place in the surrounding areas will increase the traffic.