asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether exports are now more profitable than they were on average in the years 1973 to 1976.

Companies are now more profitable than they were over the period 1973 to 1976. Export prices have risen faster than producer prices generally. Assuming no large differences in costs between production for the home and overseas markets this suggests that exports are now more profitable than they were in 1973 to 1976.