HC Deb 22 November 1967 vol 754 cc351-2W
Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the presentation of statistics of value and volume of exports, he will provide separate information for Scotland, and for England and Wales.

Mr. Darling

The value of exports moved through individual ports is given in Volume 5 of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. Figures of exports through Scottish ports are not, however, a measure of Scotland's contribution to United Kingdom exports. Contributions to the value of individual products exported may be made in more than one region and goods are not necessarily shipped abroad from the region in which the final stage of their manufacture takes place. The measurement of the separate contributions of Scotland and of England and Wales to exports would involve severe inconvenience to traders, even if it were practicable.