§ 51. Mr. Ripponasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated value of our invisible imports in the year ended 30th June, 1956, in total and under the headings of interest, profits and dividends, tourist trade, shipping, and insurance; what were the comparable figures in 1938; and what proportion the total figure for the year constituted of the total imports, as compared with 1938.
§ Mr. BirchAvailable figures show that in 1938, and the year ending 30th June, 1956, respectively, payments for shipping were £80 million and £372 million; travel £40 million and £125 million; interest profits and dividends £30 million and £281 million and Government paymentsless receipts £16 million and £186 million. The total of these items amounted to £166 155W million and £964 million which was equal to 20 per cent. and 28 per cent. of imports F.O.B.
§ 52. Mr. Ripponasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be in a position to give either the provisional or actual figures of our invisible trade for the period July-December 1956.
§ Mr. BirchProvisional estimates of invisible transactions for the second half of 1956 will appear in the next balance of payments White Paper which is to be published early in April.