§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the first three months of 1965 the value of British exports of footwear increased substantially compared with the first three months of 1964 but that there were reductions in the value of exports of industrial boots and double texture canvas footwear; and to what reason he attributes the decline.
§ Mr. RedheadI am pleased to note that exports of footwear during the first three months of 1965 were appreciably higher than in the corresponding period in 1964. The decline in exports of industrial boots and double texture canvas footwear reflects the decline in exports of rubber footwear generally which has been in evidence since 1963. It seems likely that this is due mainly to increased competition in overseas markets from low-cost producers in Asia and Eastern Europe.