§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Trade what his estimate is of the loss of exports by the United Kingdom as a result of the Arab boycott in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Arab boycott can affect our exports both to the Arab States which implement it and to Israel, but there is no way in which its impact in either case can be quantified. Over the last three years, however, our exports have continued to increase in value to both destinations. In the case of the Arab States operating the boycott, the increase in value has been from £1,386 million in 1975 to £2,702 million in 1977 and in the case of Israel from £237 million to £274 million.