§ 38. Mr. Thorntonasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the marked increase in imports of cotton cloth in January, 1963; and if he will express these January, 1963, imports as a percentage of imports in January, 1962, and of the monthly average for 1962.
§ Mr. ErrollImports of cotton cloth in January, 1963, were 24 per cent. above imports in January, 1962, and 36 per cent. above the monthly average for 1962. The increase, which follows on exceptionally low imports in December, 1962, was due mainly to higher imports from the Commonwealth countries whose exports to Britain are subject to annual ceilings.
§ 39. Mr. Thorntonasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion by quantity of cotton cloth imports in January, 1963, was duty-free; and what proportion of home production was represented by total imports in that month.
§ Mr. ErrollAbout 65 per cent. of total imports of cotton cloth during January, 1963, were admitted duty-free. Total imports from all sources were approximately 55 per cent. of domestic production. These, however, included substantial imports for re-export after processing.