HC Deb 20 October 1971 vol 823 c152W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to develop trade between Canada and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Canada, which last year took 3.6 per cent. of United Kingdom exports and supplied 7.5 per cent. of our imports, is one of our most important markets. With a view to increasing our share of this two-way trade this Department and the official commercial services in Canada have maintained a full programme of promotional events in addition to the normal services to exporters; and in support of these my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade visited Toronto, Quebec, Ottawa and the British Columbia International Trade Fair in Vancouver last June.

Our exports to Canada during the first nine months of this year amounted to £239 million, an increase of 11.5 per cent. over the corresponding period last year.