HC Deb 11 March 1954 vol 524 cc172-3W
67. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the United States of America have for some time been moving towards a greater degree of dependence on foreign trade; that last year the United States imported from Britain 75 per cent, more goods than six years ago; what steps he is taking to develop this growing trade between Britain and the United States of America; and in what products.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

British exports to the United States of America have indeed increased during the last six years, and form a growing proportion of the United States' total imports. This achievement is due to the efforts of our exporters, with the help of the Government's commercial services at home and abroad. I am doing all I can to extend the use of these services, which are available to all businessmen, whatever products they wish to export.

69. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will tabulate the products of Scotland at present being imported into the United States of America; and what steps he is taking to increase this sphere of inter national trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Exports of the products of Scotland are not separately recorded either in the United Kingdom export statistics or in the United States import statistics. I am taking all steps open to me to increase the United Kingdom's export trade with the United States, and I would not think it appropriate to discriminate in these matters between one part of the United Kingdom and another.