Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 6th February, 1959
Restrictive Practices Court (Steel Products)
asked the Attorney-General how many agreements relating to iron and steel products have been considered by the Restrictive Practices Court.
One, namely the British Constructional Steelwork Association's Agreement.
Hong Kong
Imports And Exports
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, as percentages, the proportions of Hong
| Imports from | Exports to | |||||
| — | Percentage of total imports | Value (£ million) | Percentage of total exports | Value (£ million) | ||
| United Kingdom | … | … | 11·6 | 33·2 | 13·2 | 24·6 |
| China | … | … | 30·4 | 87·3 | 5·2 | 9·7 |
| Japan | … | … | 13·0 | 37·3 | 4·0 | 7·5 |
| United States | … | … | 9·6 | 27·5 | 10·9 | 20·4 |
| — | Percentage | Value (£ million) | |||
| United Kingdom | … | … | … | 26·1 | 20·5 |
| China | … | … | … | 0·1 | 0·1 |
| Japan | … | … | … | 0·6 | 0·5 |
| United States | … | … | … | 16·3 | 12·8 |
Employment
Salford
asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed on the disabled register in Salford, at the latest available date, and at a similar date last year.
Three hundred and twenty-nine on 19th January, 1959, compared with 265 on 20th January, 1958.
Trade And Commerce
Fruit And Vegetables (Imports)
asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will state the average quantity of new potatoes,
Kong's total visible trade in 1958 represented by imports and exports; the proportions of Hong Kong's total visible imports and exports which came from or went to the United Kingdom, China, Japan and the United States, respectively; and what percentages of Hong Kong's exports of products wholly or principally of Hong Kong origin went to the United Kingdom, China, Japan and the United States, respectively, in the same year.
Of Hong Kong's total visible trade of £474 million in 1958 imports were 61 per cent. and exports 39 per cent. The proportions and values which came from or went to the specified countries were:Kong origin to the same countries were:—fresh tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and lettuce and endive imported each week in 1954, and each week in 1958; (2) if he will state the average increase or decrease, in terms of percentages, in the imports of new potatoes, fresh tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and lettuce and endive, between 1954 and 1958.
Weekly import figures are not available from the trade returns. The annual imports of these commodities and the percentage changes in them between the years 1954 and 1958 are given below, but because of the seasonal nature of the trade and other factors these figures are of very limited significance, and I am writing fully to my hon.
| UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS* | ||||
| In thousand tons | Percentage (+) increase or (—) decrease | |||
| Commodity | 1954 Total Imports† | 1958 Total Imports† | ||
| Potatoes, new | 144·9 | 234·6 | + 61·9 | |
| Tomatoes, fresh | … | 125·2 | 140·2 | + 11·9 |
| Broccoli and cauliflower | … | 41·4 | 38·7 | - 6·5 |
| Lettuce and endive | … | 4·0 | 8·1 | + 102·5 |
| * Excluding imports from the Channel Islands. | ||||
| † Sources: "Accounts Relating to the Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" | ||||
| "Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom with Commonwealth Countries and Foreign Countries." | ||||
and gallant Friend. The following is the information: