§ Mr. Corfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish revised trade figures for November, including the value of military aircraft imported from the United States of America in the figure for imports and excluding the value of British aeroengines exported to the United States of America for installation in United States- 480W built aircraft destined for Her Majesty's forces from the figure for exports.
§ Mr. DellThe overseas trade of the United Kingdom comprises all merchandise imported and exported. Consequently military aircraft imported from the United States, and British aero-engines exported to the United States for installation in these aircraft are included in published trade figures. The calculation of the visible trade balance however excludes trade in both these items.
§ Mr. Corfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the exclusion of transactions relating to the purchase of United States military aircraft and missiles from calculations of the visible trade balance, and the absence of up-to-date figures in the latest edition of "Economic Trends" he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT sufficient details of such transactions as will enable their effect upon the November visible trade balance to be assessed.
§ Mr. DellIn published trade figures imports are shown both including and excluding United States military aircraft and missiles, but the visible trade balance excludes these imports. The payments made to manufacturers for the aircraft as distinct from the value of aircraft imported are treated as debits and shown separately in the visible account of the full balance of payments; but these figures are published only for calendar quarters.