§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will quantify the factors such as the seamen's strike and general import prices, particularly that of copper, which have affected the balance of payments.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo precise quantification of the effect of the strike is possible. On shipping I would refer to the Answer given on 14th July by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade. In the first five months of this year import prices were nearly 2 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period of 1965, equivalent to about £45 million on the import bill, of which about £25 million would be for copper.