HC Deb 21 February 1956 vol 549 cc25-6W
Mr. Chapman

asked the President of the Board of Trade which commodities and commodity-groups, and by what amounts in value, were mainly responsible for the rise in imports in 1955.

Mr. Low

Of the increase of £512 million in the value of imports c.i.f. as recorded in the Trade Returns between 1954 and 1955, iron and steel accounted for £71 million, non-ferrous metals for £57 million, coal for £57 million, rubber for £46 million, other basic materials and fuels for £79 million and food for £105 million. For more details, I would refer the hon. Member to the summary table on pages 3 and 4 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts for December, 1955.