§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the principal companies involved in capital works in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the value of such contracts ; what discussions have been held with them by the Government; and if it remains Her Majesty's Government policy to encourage such trade.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIt is not the Government's practice to disclose information on the export activities of individual companies except by arrangement with the firms concerned. We keep in touch with companies concerned with major export contracts. As my right hon. Friend told my hon. Friend for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat) on 4 February, the Government believe that trade should continue to be developed where this is genuinely in the interest of both countries.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total number and value of imports of cars, trucks, vans and lorries into the
715WUnited Kingdom from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in each year since June 1970.
UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS FROM THE USSR Passenger motor cars (1) Motor vehicles for the transport of goods or materials (2) Number Value (£'000 cif) Number Value (£'000 cif) 1970 … … … … 253 83 369 98 1971 … … … … 838 291 780 399 1972 … … … … 4,981 1,692 3,020 998 1973 … … … … 10,345 3,688 3,736 1,716 1974 … … … … 6,180 3,223 924 1,024 1975 … … … … 6,694 4,214 886 886 1976 … … … … 9,228 6,255 145 922 1977 … … … … 14,965 13,047 47 153 1978 … … … … 17 998 18 490 81 496 1979 … … … … 23,544 27,088 411 735 Source : United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics ((1) SITC (Rev 2) Group 781 and (2) sub-group 782.1 and corresponding items under SITC (Rev 1)).