§ 72. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the action he is currently taking to attract new industry to Sunderland.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Department draws to the attention of firms seeking new locations or considering expansion
EXTERNAL TRADE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (Trade Statistics basis) 1958 1970(4) £ million Per cent. of total £ million Per cent. of total Percentage increase 1958-70 Imports (1) c.i.f. Total … 3,834 9,029 135 of which: EEC … 538 14 1,822 20 239 EFTA(2) … 438 11 1,415 16 223 Commonwealth … 1,329 35 2,158 24 62 Rest of World … 1,529 40 3,615 40 136 Food, beverages and tobacco … 1,490 39 2,052 23 38 Basic materials and fuels … 1,345 35 2,310 26 72 Manufactured goods … 977 25 4,566 51 367 Exports (including re-exports)(3) f.o.b. Total … 3,391 8,063 138 of which: EEC … 490 14 1,754 22 258 EFTA(2) … 369 11 1,286 16 249 Commonwealth … 1,249 37 1,695 21 36 Rest of World … 1,283 38 3,291 41 157 Food, beverages and tobacco … 221 7 514 6 133 Basic materials and fuels … 314 9 480 6 53 Manufactured goods … 2,757 81 6,808 84 147 (1) Excludes imports of United States military aircraft in 1970.
(2) Includes Finland and Iceland.
(3) Does not contain any allowance for under-recording of exports which is estimated to be 2 per cent. of total exports in 1970.
(4) In 1970 items valued at less than £50 were not allocated to specific countries and areas.
190Wthe wide range of special development area incentives now available in Sunderland. In the past few months Wearside has been suggested as a location to about 30 firms and a third of these have visited Sunderland. Negotiations have recently begun with a firm expressing an interest in the 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory on the Pennywell Estate.
§ 73. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will pay an official visit to Sunderland.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantMy right hon. Friend and I have at present no plans to do so.