Diamond Wire-Drawing Dies (Imports)

HC Deb 16 March 1956 vol 550 cc81-3W

Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what heading imports of industrial diamonds and dollar area and the United States of America, respectively.

Mr. P. Thorneyeroft

Following are the percentages:

diamond dies are shown in the Trade and Navigation Accounts; and if he will give the chief sources of imports of these materials, together with the quantities and values from each, as far as is practicable, for 1953, 1954 and 1955.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Diamonds are not included in the Trade Returns. Diamond dies for wire-drawing are included by value only under the heading "Implements and tools and parts thereof-all other sorts" in Division D. 14 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts. Our imports in the last three years are shown below.

IMPORTS OF DIAMOND WIRE-DRAWING DIES (MOUNTED OR UNMOUNTED)
From	1953	1954	1955
	(£)	(£)	(£)
Australia	—	—	880
New Zealand	1,709	—	—
Sweden	—	168	1250
Netherlands	5,542	—	19
Belgium	253	253	—
France	—	180	522
Other countries	—	161	247
Total	7,504	762	2,918