HC Deb 20 May 1974 vol 874 cc17-9W
Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what study he has given to the 43.5 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of reconstituted wood by volume and the 60 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of reconstituted wood by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin control;

(2)what study he has given to the percentage increase in United Kingdom imports of excavating machinery by volume, and the 67 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of United Kingdom excavating machinery by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin controls;

(3)what study he has given to the 67 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of miscellaneous furniture by volume, and the 21 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of miscellaneous furniture by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin control;

(4)what study he has given to the 22 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of cotton fabrics by volume, and the 20 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of cotton fabrics by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin controls;

(5)what study he has given to the 15 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of car and motor-cycle chassis and other parts other than engines, by volume, and the 20 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of car and motor cycle chassis and other parts other than engines, by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin controls;

(6)what study he has given to the 22 per cent. increase by volume in United Kingdom imports of synthetic yarns in 1973, and the 13 per cent. increase by volume in United Kingdom exports of synthetic yarns during the same year, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin controls.

(7)what study he has given to the 22.5 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of miscellaneous plastic materials by volume, and the 10.5 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of miscellaneous plastic materials by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin controls.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what study he has given to the 29 per cent. increase in United Kingdom imports of synthetic organic dyestuffs by volume, and the 16 per cent. increase in United Kingdom exports of synthetic organic dye-stuffs by volume, during 1973, and the extent to which the volume of imports was swollen by the reimport of goods required for the home market but originally exported in order to take advantage of the exemption of export sales from profit margin control.

Mr. Meacher

I have been asked to reply also to the Question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection has said that she will study the implications of the price control measures. I am aware that these measures, as well as a general increase in economic activity worldwide, could have affected the pattern of United Kingdom trade in 1973, but 1 think it unlikely that they were of more than a marginal influence.