HC Deb 06 May 1968 vol 764 c8W
Mr. Lubbock

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the imports of telecommunications equipment in each of the last three calendar years; and what are the reasons for the increase shown.

Mr. Benn

The information is given in the following table:

Imports (£ million)
1965 … … … … 2.72
1966 … … … … 3.25
1967 … … … … 5.14

It is difficult to isolate all the causes of the rise in imports but the major contributory factor seems to have been the rapid growth of home demand. Imports account for less than 5 per cent. of the home market and their share has not changed greatly over the last three years.