§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present imbalance in the import and export trade between Great Britain and Russia, indicating its increase or decrease during the last three years; and what steps he has taken and plans to take to rectify it in the interests of British trade, industry and employment.
§ Mr. JayThe Answer to the first part of the Question is set out below.
I am glad to say that our exports to Russia so far this year are doing better than last. Her Majesty's Government will continue to seek in every way to
325Wincrease these exports further by urging the Soviet Government to buy more and by helping British businessmen in their efforts to sell. For instance, the Board
U.K. TRADE WITH THE U.S.S.R. £ million Jan.-June Jan.-June 1963 1964 1965 1965 1966 U.K. imports (c.i.f.) … 96.8 97.0 118.9 43.5 45.5 U.K. exports (f.o.b.) … 55.6 38.0 45.5 21.2 27.0 U.K. re-exports (f.o.b.) … 8.5 1.7 0.5 0.2 0.4 U.K. deficit in visible trade … −32.7 −57.3 −72.9 −22.1 −18.1