§ Mr. Ron Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the under-recording of export figures since the 141W autumn of 1973, referred to in the Press Notice issued jointly by the Central Statistical Office and his Department on 14th July, if he will take action to improve the monitoring of export documentation and the lodgment of documents; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
§ Mr. DeakinsAction on both these aspects is being taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise who are responsible for the compilation of the export statistics. The results of the monitoring of export documentation now extend up to the beginning of 1975—the Press Notice reference was not as up to date as it could have been—and confirm the continuation of a shortfall averaging about half of 1 per cent throughout 1974. The response of exporters to the action taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will, it is hoped, improve the lodgment of documents and be reflected in the results of the continuing monitoring.