§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what, for the last three years for which statistics are available, was the financial value of imports of all spectacle frames and the number involved; and what was the value and number of spactacle frames exported for 279W the corresponding years from the United Kingdom;
(2) what, for the last three years for which figures are available, was the total number of spectacle frames, other than National Health Service frames, supplied, and the percentage of those manufactured in the United Kingdom; what were the four principal countries from which these spectacle frames were imported and the quantities involved; what was the number and value of those spectacle frames imported from Australia.
§ Dr. OwenUnited Kingdom imports of all types of spectacle frames and mountings and parts thereof were valued at £4.219 million in 1972, £6.598 million in 1973 and £7.964 million in 1974; corresponding exports from the United Kingdom were £0.284 million, £0.511 million and £0.527 million. Information as to the number of frames imported and exported is not available.
Exact figures are not available of the total number of spectacle frames, other than National Health Service frames, supplied, but on the basis of statistical sampling of the general ophthalmic services and excluding frames supplied under arrangements made by the Hospital Eye Service it is estimated that 3.7 million were supplied in 1972, 4.0 million in 1973 and 4.3 million in 1974. Information as to the percentage of those frames manufactured in the United Kingdom or the quantities imported is not available.
By value the four principal countries from which all types of spectacle frames and mountings, and parts thereof were imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1972 to 1974 were:
£ million Percentage of imports 1972— West Germany … 1.562 37.0 France … 0.841 20.0 Australia … 0.302 7.2 Italy … 0.277 6.6 1973— West Germany … 2.487 37.7 France … 1.467 22.2 Italy … 0.472 7.2 Austria … 0.334 5.1 1974— West Germany … 2.326 29.2 France … 2.023 25.4 Italy … 0.885 11.1 Switzerland … 0.484 6.1 Similarly imports from Australia were £0.302 million (7.2 per cent.) in 1972, 280W £0.256 million (3.9 per cent.) in 1973 and £0.322 million (4.0 per cent.) in 1974.