asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of business failures in 1953; whether this was an increase or a decrease when com pared with 1951; and what was the difference.

In1953, the number of bankruptcies, deeds of arrangement and company liquidations which may be regarded as "business failures"was 3,642. This was 697 more than in 1951. As the hon. Member knows, the figure for 1951 had increased by nearly 1,000 compared with 1948, and all such figures should be interpreted with caution.

:Although they may be interpreted with caution, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this increase is a matter for concern? Does he not agree that unless there is an appreciable increase in trade between the East and West this year we shall be in a worse position in 1955?

:Do the 1951 figures include the late Administration?