HC Deb 08 July 1968 vol 768 cc21-2W
71 . Sir F. Bennett

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) on what date and for what reason the Greek Government ratification of the Rolls-Royce and Metro-Cammell £4,000,000 rolling stock order was withdrawn;

(2) what stage had the negotiations in the Rolls-Royce and Metro-Cammell £4,000.000 rolling stock order reached prior to the withdrawal by the Greek Government of their ratification of the contract.

Mr. Dell

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a Private Notice Question on 3rd July when my right hon. Friend said that he had had no confirmation of the loss of any export order to Greece. This is still the position.

I understand from the British companies concerned with the order to which the hon. Member refers that their Greek agent was told on 28th June that their offers of equipment would be considered by the National Economic Council the following week with a view to ratification. On 1st July, however, the agent was told by the office of the Minister of Co-ordination that the ratification of this business could not be proceeded with. He has since been informed that the

UNITED KINGDOM TRADE
October, 1964 to March, 1965 April, 1965 to September, 1965 October, 1965 to March, 1966 April, 1966 to September, 1966 October, 1966 to March, 1967 April, 1967 to September, 1967 October, 1967 to March, 1968
£ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million
Imports, c.i.f 2,834 2,890 3,012 2,993 3,018 3,144 3,681
United Kingdom Exports, f.o.b. 2,271 2,347 2,526 2,401 2,714 2,523 2,672
of which
SterlingArea 796 792 822 747 869 790 763
of which
Manufactures* 697 697 723 656 765 695 666
Machinery and trans port equipment† 367 373 401 368 415 374 355
E.E.C 441 450 492 448 502 468 542
of which
Manufactures* 355 364 396 376 411 393 450
Machinery and transport equipment† 152 163 175 168 183 180 207
E.F.T.A 326 331 367 347 402 368 388
of which
Manufactures* 259 270 292 280 323 300 316
Machinery and transport equipment† 116 130 141 133 148 134 135
North America 300 355 401 412 435 410 478
of which
Manufactures* 239 289 329 346 357 339 396
Machinery and transport equipment† 104 125 154 169 168 159 184

offers are still under consideration and the companies concerned are seeking to clarify the position in discussion with the Greek Authorities.—[Vol. 767, c. 1499† 1503.]

Mr. Dance

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he now expects the Rolls-Royce and Metro-Cammell £4,000,000 rolling stock order from Greece to be ratified.

Mr. Dell

While discussions are still in progress on this order I would prefer to refrain from any forecast.