§ Mr. Wallasked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the estimated annual cost of the effect of Rhodesian 128W counter sanctions on British exports; which British industries will be the most affected; and at what estimated annual cost.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the effect on British industry of the ban of the import of certain materials, in particular asbestos and copper, from Rhodesia.
§ Mr. DarlingThe ban on the import of industrial raw materials from Rhodesia will have little effect on British industry. Imports of copper from Rhodesia are very small. The firm responsible for practically all the asbestos produced in Rhodesia has stated that refusal to import Rhodesian asbestos should have no serious effect on the British economy.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the President of the Board of Trade what changes have taken place in the prices of raw materials, in particular those which Great Britain normally imported from Rhodesia, since the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Rhodesia; and what effect such price alterations will have on British industry.
§ Mr. JayIt is not possible to measure the changes that have taken place in the average prices of imports of raw materials in the short period since 11th November. Information available about prices of particular commodities produced in Rhodesia does not suggest that there has been any sudden or marked variation from the levels prevailing immediately before that date.