§ Mr. Benceasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of the published trade deficit of November, 1967 he estimates is to be attributed to the dock strikes during that month;
(2) what estimate he has made of the value of perishable goods lost to the consumer during the month of November, 1967 as a consequence of the dock strike at London and Liverpool docks, respectively;
(3) what estimate he has made of the loss incurred by manufacturers during the month of November, 1967 as a consequence of being unable to deliver on time exports, due to strikes at London and Liverpool docks;
431W(4) what estimate he has made of the loss to British importers and shippers in consequence of the strikes at London and Liverpool docks, during the month of November, 1967.
§ Mr. Darling:It is not possible to put an exact figure on the several effects of the strikes of dockers at London and Liverpool. But there is no doubt that the strikes were a major factor in the large trade deficit recorded for November and that on account of the strikes significant losses have been suffered by consumers, manufacturers, importers and shippers. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Press notice which was issued with the November trade figures and which describes the various ways in which they were affected by the strikes.