§ Mr. Sheldonasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the level of imports in the first quarter of 1969.
§ Mr. DellI would not propose to give such an estimate. But, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House on 28th January, it is hoped to continue the practice of publishing forecasts annually at the time of the Budget.—[Vol. 776, c. 278.]
§ Mr. Barnettasked the President of the Board of Trade what effect the import deposit scheme has had on the level of imports; what is his estimate of the total import savings from this scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DellIt is too early to make any estimate of what effect the Import Deposit Scheme has had or will have on the level of imports. We can expect, however, that the scheme will have a significant effect in accelerating the improvement already taking place in our balance of payments.