HC Deb 13 March 1968 vol 760 cc296-7W
78 and 79. Earl of Dalkeith

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will publish, in column form, the figures showing the national balance of payments deficit and the price paid for imported timber and processed timber, including pulp, paper and particle board, in each of the last three years, respectively;

(2) whether he will publish, in column form, the figures showing the deficit on trading account with Russia and other East European countries, and the price paid for timber and processed timber of all forms supplied by them in each of the last three years, respectively, together with the names of the importing firms principally concerned.

Mr. Darling

Figures of the visible trade deficit and of the value of imports of timber are being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as I assume that this is the information sought. Separate figures are not available of the visible balance on a payments basis of trade with East European countries. I cannot disclose names of importing firms.

The figures are as follows:

£ million
1965 1966 1967
Visible trade deficit, balance of payments basis 269 106 552
Imports of timber, processed timber, pulp and paper etc., c.i.f., 527 502 528
United Kingdom trade with Eastern Europe*
Imports c.i.f. 220 241 254
of which: timber and processed timber 73 64 59
Exports f.o.b. 117 151 174
* Includes Soviet Union, Poland, Eastern Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia. Albania Bulgaria and Rumania.