§ Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Trade what the cost to the balance of payments has been in 1975 and 1976 to date, arising from the shipment of Eastern European glass into the United Kingdom; and whether his Department, in line with the NEDO industrial strategy, has publicised the facts and pointed to the pressing need for import substitution.
§ Mr. MeacherIt is not possible to measure the balance of payments cost of these shipments precisely. However, the figure for imports cif of glass and glassware in 1975 was £5.5 million from the Eastern European countries compared with £80.3 million for total imports of such products and £476 million for total home sales. In the first nine months of 1976 imports cif from the same countries were valued at £5.8 million. Although imports from these countries form such a small proportion of the total United Kingdom market, the Government remain concerned that purchasers 265W should be aware of the opportunities for obtaining their supplies from domestic sources.