Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to increase trade between Great Britain, the Federal German Republic, and the German Democratic Republic, and with what success; and whether he will state, for the latest convenient period, the balance of trade between Great Britain and the two countries mentioned, respectively.
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have had two trade missions here from Western Germany in the last eighteen months and both my Department and the Embassy in Bonn have given the fullest support and assistance to our exporters. Western Germany is now one of our largest76W export markets; exports and re-exports last year were £159 million and imports £144 million.
As regards East Germany we do not recognise the authorities there but the Federation of British Industries make unofficial trade arrangements from time to time with the East German Chamber of Foreign Trade. Exports and re-exports last year were £4.2 million and imports £4.6 million.