HC Deb 17 March 1965 vol 708 cc291-2W
Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the percentage of large-scale earth-moving equipment imported into this country between October, 1963, and October, 1964.

Mr. Darling

The available statistics do not show large-scale earth-moving equipment separately. The recorded value at "ex-works" prices of manufacturers' deliveries to the home market of wheeled loading shovels, motor graders and other complete items of earth-moving, earth-levelling and land clearing equipment, but excluding excavators, trenchers, diggers and similar digging machinery, for the period October, 1963 to September, 1964, amounted to £11.9 million with deliveries for export amounting to £15.5 million. Imports of similar items of complete equipment including equipment returned for repair or after use overseas were valued at £7.1 million during the same period; this sum includes an estimate for duty paid.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British firms are producing large-scale earth-moving equipment.

Mr. Darling

Thirteen firms producing large-scale earth-moving equipment in the United Kingdom are known to the Board of Trade; of these five are wholly owned United States subsidiaries and there is United States capital participation in a further two.