asked the President of the Board of Trade why £5,000.000 of electrical equipment was exported in February, 1947, nearly £2,000,000 more than in February, 1946, although 500,000 less than in January, 1947; and what representations he received from the Ministry of Fuel and Power with regard to the sufficiency or otherwise of this reduction from the January figure, in view of the present deficiency of electrical equipment.

The export of electrical equipment varies widely from month to month due to a variety of production causes, shipping, etc., which I am unable to particularize. No representations have been received from the Ministry of Fuel and Power with regard to either the January or February export figures.