asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give his estimate of the value of world trade in 1969 compared with each of the previous three years; what has been the value, with export and import, and percentage of Great Britain's share in it; and what estimates have been made in respect of 1970 based on these trends.

With permission, I will circulate the latest available figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I do not wish to venture precise forecasts of the out-turn for this year as a whole or for 1970. However, after its recent exceptionally rapid expansion, I expect that world trade may soon grow somewhat less strongly, and that this could have some effect on the growth of our exports. Imports are likely to show some increase as the economy expands.

Can the President of the Board of Trade give some estimate of the

It is too soon to give an estimate regarding devaluation. One could give only a rough guess as to how world trade might move in the next year or so, but what is pleasing is that during the course of expansion in world trade we have this time managed to maintain our share whereas previously when world trade grew we actually fell back.

I appreciate that my right hon. Friend is too much of a gentleman to remind the Opposition that Britain's share of world trade fell from 25 to 17 per cent. from 1951 to 1964, but will he accept that this is no longer a proper yardstick and that exports per 1,000 of the population give a more accurate guide?

That is a better indicator, but the Question refers to the first point which my hon. Friend mentioned.

The right hon. Gentleman has made the extraordinary statement that it is too soon after devaluation to make an estimate of what effect it has had. We ought to have a reasonable estimate by this stage of what the elasticities were in response to the change in relative prices of exports and imports, ought we not?

I still think that it is too soon to say, after about two years, or to give an accurate forecast of the real effects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number and aggregate value of contracts between United Kingdom manufacturers and foreign buyers which the Overseas Marketing Corporation has been instrumental in promoting and the average size of the United Kingdom firm concerned.

The Overseas Marketing Corporation is established as a private limited company, and it would, therefore, not be right to disclose details concerning the commercial activities of the corporation.

Come now—this body has already taken upwards of £200,000 of preferentially valued loan capital from the taxpayer. Is not the taxpayer entitled to know what is being done with the money, and the extent to which he is getting value for the money expended on his behalf?

As I have said, it is a private limited company. If the hon. Gentleman wanted more information, I would advise him to go to the company. It is true that it has drawn £275,000, and so far it has had a measure of success in Europe.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what return we are likely to see on the £275,000 which has been drawn? This is what is of interest to the taxpayers who put up the money.

That is not quantifiable just yet. The O.M.C. is an experimental initiative, and it has spent some time helping manufacturers who lacked marketing resources and expertise in identifying opportunities for them abroad and finding them markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made of the evidence supplied to him by the hon. Member for Bedfordshire, South showing that passengers in coaches were frequently not fully covered by insurance unless the liability of the coach company could be fully proved; and if he will take steps to close this type of insurance loophole in this and other forms of transport.

The liabilities of coach operators for damage to the luggage of their passengers are usually governed by the conditions of carriage. It is for the operators to decide whether to insure against these liabilities. In general, the conditions of carriage, not the degree of insurance, limit the extent to which claims by passengers are entertained.

The Law Commission is at present considering, in relation to contracts for services generally, how far it should be permissible to contract out of common law liabilities.

I shall write shortly to my hon. Friend on the matter.

I earnestly urge my hon. Friend to expedite the matter as much as possible. Does she realise that 99 per cent. of the general public who go abroad in a coach believe that their luggage is covered by the company in case of accident? Can she tell us what the position is in British Railways and bus companies?

It may well be that passengers are not fully cognisant of the terms under which their luggage is carried. In general, I think that a lot of people choose to insure their luggage individually. Questions about British Rail are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the relationship between the size of the gross national product and the level of imports; how this compares with the relationship in other equivalent countries; and what evidence he has that this relationship is changing.

At current prices, our imports from 1958 to 1968 have varied between 14 and 16 per cent. of the gross national product. There is no discernible trend in the proportion, which is similar to that for the European Economic Community. In volume terms the proportion has risen, but more slowly than in all other comparable countries. With permission, I will publish figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the figures I am to receive. Is it the fear of a sudden rise in the ratio of imports that continues to prevent

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had with the Chairman of British European Airways on the airline's future requirements for aircraft.

None, Sir, yet.

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm from his most recent discussions with the British European Airways Board that it still wishes to see B.E.A. operating aircraft of British manufacture, that it wishes to buy new aircraft in that category, and that it has his support in this?

I am awaiting its proposals. I cannot go any further than

Not at all. There has been only a moderate increase in imports during the course of the year.

Will my right hon. Friend have discussions with B.E.A. about what aircraft is to take the place of the Viscount, particularly in its use in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?

I have not been approached on that matter so far, and I have not made any arrangements for meeting B.E.A. on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made in his discussions with the United States and French authorities on international noise certification standards for aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the results of his discussions with representatives of the Government of the United States of America in regard to maximum permitted noise levels of both subsonic and supersonic aircraft, both in flight and at landing and take-off, operating between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of the proposals for an international aircraft noise certification scheme, which Great Britain, France and the United States of America are submitting to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The progress of tripartite work on noise certification standards for the next generation of subsonic jet transport aircraft has been reported to the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This work will be discussed at an I.C.A.O. Special Meeting on Aircraft Noise next month. We shall press for early agreement on a practicable international scheme to secure the progressive introduction of the much quieter aircraft which are now technically possible.

It is still too early to make proposals for noise standards for new types of supersonic aircraft.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the House would welcome the opportunity to debate the matter fully? When he is ready to introduce proposals, we shall want to be satisfied with the adequacy of all his arrangements to control and diminish aircraft noise, and shall want a full day for that.

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. I shall take a keen personal interest in the matter, as I have since I opened the first international noise conference at Lancaster House in 1966.

Whilst I support my hon. Friend's demand for adequate discussion, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of the technical modifications proposed could inflict propor- tionately much greater expense on our aircraft industry than that of the Americans and other countries?

Yes, Sir. That is something we shall have to keep in the forefront of our minds. Three major nations are involved, and we shall have to see to what extent the cost affects individual States.

Many people living near London Airport have been greatly encouraged by the high hopes my right hon. Friend has expressed about noise certification in his booklet "Action Against Aircraft Noise." Will he be more specific and say by what year he expects, say, 50 per cent. of aircraft using London Airport to be noise-certified?

I am sorry that I cannot be more specific than I have already been. We shall have to await the international discussion at I.C.A.O.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we produce one of the quietest engines that has ever taken to the air, the RB 211, and that it is the type of engine we would be better using ourselves, even though we earn a lot of money by selling it to America?

The RB211 does not power present-day aircraft. Aircraft which should be covered and therefore should be quieter would be the Lockheed 10–11, the BAC3–11, the DC10 and the European Airbus.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes he proposes to make in the Board of Trade Journal.

To improve the Journal's usefulness to its readers, changes of content and editorial technique are under discussion. These follow a readership survey conducted last year. The Journal will continue to emphasise matters concerning exports and provide a vehicle for a broad range of official information affecting trade and industry.

Since so many of the activities of the Board of Trade have been hived off to other Departments, is it not clear that there is a need for another publication which will reflect the wide-ranging relationship between Government and industry, and that this might be brought about by an expansion of the Board of Trade Journal or even by another journal?

The Board of Trade remains a very important Department in Whitehall, covering a great many vital subjects. Although the Board of Trade Journal has not yet reached the point where it interprets statistics as being someone's bust measurement, I think it will contain some rather useful bits of information.

As a keen reader of this publication, might I ask that the trade statistics be brought a little nearer the beginning, instead of being tucked away near the end?

The hon. Gentleman is one of an estimated readership of 33,600 people, all of whom, very interestingly, appear to be in influential positions. We shall certainly take note of his point of view.

asked the President of the Board or Trade what value of apples have been imported into Great Britain during the 12 months ended 31st October or the latest convenient date: and what contribution to the policy of imports substitution has been made by British apple growers in the period stated.

Information on imports of apples for the twelve months ending 30th September, 1969, may be derived from the issues of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December, 1968 and September, 1969 (page 19). October figures are not yet available. As imports of apples which compete with the domestic crop have for many years been subject to quota restrictions, any increase in consumer demand during the home marketing season is met by domestic supplies.

Is it not the fact that the Board of Trade controls all imports of apples into the United Kingdom from foreign as well as Commonwealth sources, and that this year larger supplies have been brought in than ever before, at a time when our own crops are the biggest in history? Is the hon. Lady aware that thousands of tons of apples now lie unsold in Britain? Does that not represent a huge wastage of our national resources?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that British apples are among the best in the world. We must consider the consumer in this matter. My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has pointed out that the home crop is 18 times greater than the quota we import from other countries. I think British apples are the best.

What representations has my hon. Friend had from consumers or consumers' associations for the price of apples to be put up?

Not surprisingly, none. It is a bit wearing when hon. Gentlemen opposite run campaigns which emphasise how difficult the matter is but do not protect the consumers' interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what contribution to the balance of payments has been made by import substitution; and whether he will make a statement as to achievements of that policy, duly quantified, ad valorem, 1967 to 1969.

It is not possible to put a figure to the total contribution made by import substitution to the balance of payments.

Why is it that the Board of Trade Ministers keep on boasting about all the wonderful results of their import substitution policies if they cannot bring to the House a modicum of evidence that those policies are succeeding in the matter of either apples or horticultural products of any kind, or in any raw material?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be delighted with the rapid exploitation of North Sea gas, which is likely to save about £25 million worth of imports this year and £50 million worth next year, to mention just one item.

In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice once again that I will raise these matters on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the rules governing limitation of liability for goods at sea.

Legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.

Is it not nearly two years since we took the lead at the Brussels Conference in obtaining that important agreement, and is it not two years too long for the ratification so earnestly looked for?

I agree that ratification is desirable as soon as possible, especially in view of the lead we took at the discussions. However, it has been necessary to consult a great many interests, and this has taken some time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for altering the law relating to the hallmarking of gold and silver wares; what representations he has received for and against abandoning the system of compulsory hallmarking; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when his inquiry into hallmarking will be completed; and what representations he has received that it should be abandoned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has considered the recommendations of the Consumer Council on the hallmarking of gold and silver; and what conclusion he has reached;

(2) what plans he has for bringing up to date the assay and hallmarking laws.

Consultations about the basis on which reform of the hallmarking law should proceed are still in progress. Pending their completion— hope within next few weeks —I cannot reach conclusions, but the views so far expressed are unanimously in favour of a compulsory hallmarking system.

Can the hon. Lady give an assurance that the compulsory hallmarking system will be retained?

I ask the hon. Gentleman to await the results of the discussions. It would be wrong to commit oneself to a conclusion now. The Stone Committee reported 10 years ago. We have been looking at the need to update this law before we reach any definite conclusions.

Has this inquiry come about through pressure from other E.F.T.A. members? If we do try to achieve some harmonisation with these countries, it will lead to an inevitable deterioration in the hallmarking standards which are so good in the United Kingdom.

Any reform of a law we have had since mediaeval times seems hardly a rapid change. All we are doing is to recognise that hallmarking has a part to play in our exports, and we want to see whether it needs modernising in any way.

Is the hon. Lady aware that there is a good deal of feeling, both in the Consumer Council and in the Assay Office, that not only should the law be kept as it is but that it should be consolidated and modernised? Will she bear this in mind?

It is because we feel that the law may need modernising in some ways that we have started these talks. A certain amount of unnatural heat has been generated by what have been careful exploratory talks.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the unique advantage of hallmarking is that it protects the consumer not only on the first sale but on subsequent changes of hands in the future? In view of what has been said, will she drop this inquiry and leave the system as it is?

We have had a system of hallmarking for many hundreds of years and perhaps now it is time that some of the laws were tightened up. We are looking at the subject again following the Stone Committee's Report suggesting that possibly it is time that there were certain minor modifications. But these can only come after discussion with the people concerned.

Will my hon. Friend assure us that if minor modifications are made in the law to bring it up to date, it will still contain a compulsory element in hallmarking?

That is one of the points we are examining. I would not like to commit myself, although I think that that may well be so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to increase British-German Democratic Republic trade from 1970.

The Confederation of British Industry and the East German Chamber of Foreign Trade are at present discussing trade arrangements to cover a period of three years. I am hopeful that the discussions will be successful.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that gleam of light. Will he assure us that the talks now proceeding about a long-term agreement will not fall down over the nonsense about nomenclature of the other contracting party? Will he consider opening a British office either in East Berlin or in Leipzig, where increasing numbers of British businessmen go twice a year to exhibit at the Leipzig Fair?

I hope that nomenclature will not hinder the negotiations. I do not know whether it would be helpful to have an office in East Germany. This year should be a record year for exports to East Germany, topping the previous record, made in 1966, of £15·9 million.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the German Democratic Republic has decided as a matter of policy not to create a domestic computer industry, so that the prospects for selling British data processing apparatus there are very bright? Will he draw the attention of the industries concerned to this and accept the hon. Lady's suggestion so that we could have an office in East Germany where these matters could be pursued in greater detail?

No doubt data processing and computer equipment will be one of the items discussed between the C.B.I. and the East Germans this week. I hope that we shall get a favourable report by Friday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he did not meet the State Secretary for External Economic Affairs of the German Democratic Republic during his recent visit to London.

In view of the policy of the United Kingdom and other N.A.T.O. countries on recognition of East Germany, a meeting would not have been appropriate.

I am not sure what my right hon. Friend means by this being inappropriate. Is he aware that, because of the strictures of the Foreign Office on the trade connections we have with the German Democratic Republic, we are cutting off our trade noses to spite our faces? Last year our exports to East Germany were only £13 million whereas the exports to East Germany of the Federal German Republic were £160 million? Is it not high time we normalised our trade relations with the German Democratic Republic, as many of our N.A.T.O. and Western European partners have already done?

My hon. Friend obviously did not hear the statistics I gave in my previous reply. This year looks like being a record year for our exports to East Germany.

Should not the right hon. Gentleman point out to the hon. Lady that it is the policy of the Government to cut off their trade noses to spite their faces in all sorts of directions?

In spite of the high principles we have on this side of the House, as distinct from hon. Members opposite, particularly the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne), our export trade is not doing badly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while there is not much that my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short) and I agree upon in terms of foreign politics, on this issue the Government are missing the point? When Herr Brandt has decided upon an Ostpolitik, why should we hold behind? Is it not now time for us to open up trade avenues, which means having an office in East Germany? Otherwise other people will pick it all up long before we get there?

Our trade with East Germany is increasing, and this week there is the possibility that we shall be able to establish a three-year trade agreement with East Germany as distinct from the annual reviews we have had in the past.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what his present policy is regarding International Air Transport Association fare restrictions.

The Government's policy is outlined in paragraphs 60 to 62 of the White Paper on Civil Aviation Policy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that package tours on reputable air carriers are sold in Western Germany at prices considerably less than the normal tourist fares? Will he consider the implications for British tourist agents if the £50 allowance is abolished and these can be purchased freely from this country?

Part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question ranges beyond the responsibilities of my Department, but I take note of what he says about the tourist allowance. If he refers to paragraphs 55 to 59 of the White Paper he will find, with the paragraphs I have referred to, a fairly complete answer to his question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the cessation of international control over scheduled air fares on the Atlantic, he will remove all remaining controls over the fares charged by operators of either whole aircraft or inclusive tour charter services operating on this route.

I hope that scheduled carriers will agree on a realistic tariff. Until then, fares are controlled by the Governments concerned. The Government's policy on inclusive tour prices and affinity group travel is outlined in paragraphs 55–59 of the White Paper on Civil Aviation Policy.

Is it not quite clear from the White Paper and the Edwards Report that the Government's attitude is that the chartered and inclusive tour fares should be controlled only to the extent that it is necessary to protect the scheduled carriers? As the Question indicates that the scheduled airlines have thrown over their protection, why continue the control?

I could not agree that the scheduled airlines have thrown over this protection. I would be very surprised to learn that they did not want a continuation of the appropriate protection so long as it is needed. These paragraphs indicate the basis on which we may consider removing that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make special arrangements to mitigate the damage caused to India and Pakistan by the proposed 15 per cent. tariff against their cotton textile exports to this country.

My right hon. Friend the former President of the Board of Trade said in his statement on 22nd July that he saw no reason to think that, with the possible exception of India, the developing countries of the Commonwealth generally will be able to export less to Britain over the proposed tariff than under a continuation of the present quota system. So far as India is concerned, in determining the level of aid after 1972 we shall be willing to take into account against the background of her general aid requirements at that time any adverse effects on her exports arising from the tariff.

In view of the damage done to India, why were there no consultations with the Indian Government before the decision was taken? Why has my hon. Friend decided to strike this blow at the Commonwealth in favour of Portugal, which, as a member of E.F.T.A., will benefit?

The Board of Trade is opening discussions in Delhi this week with the Indian Government. I hope we shall be able to reach an agreement.

Is the hon. Lady aware that when I sought to put a similar Question on this subject to the Board of Trade, I was told that responsibility had been transferred to the Ministry of Technology? Since she has now accepted responsibility in the case of the hon. Member for Yarmouth (Dr. Gray), may I ask whether it is not the fact that South Korea, much more than Portugal, will be a beneficiary of this change? Will not the Textile Council soon be regretting its decision to remove from the British manufacturer the protection of the quota?

It is true that there were some alterations in those countries which supply goods to Great Britain, but we have said that we shall take great care to promote the interests of Commonwealth countries in future talks, and I hope that those countries which are able to be efficient in world markets will be able to maintain more than their share of the British market.

Will my hon. Friend bear continually in mind the needs of our own domestic textile industry, which has suffered more than any other industry in this country from cheap imports? If India and Pakistan have to be helped, surely the best way in which to help them is by not killing our own industry.

I do not think there is any intention of doing anything which will kill our own industry. I am sure that, under the reorganisation schemes, the cotton industry will be able to compete in world markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to prevent toy manufac- turers from advertising toys between now and Christmas Eve.

I am not aware of any justification for such a restriction.

Is my hon. Friend not aware of the extensive advertising on Children's Hour of toys at this time of year and of the embarrassment which it causes to lower-paid workers and widows with families? Does she not think that this form of direct selling to children is unethical?

I accept my hon. Friend's point that selling methods to children can cause difficulty; there is no doubt of that. However, he may be wrong when he says that advertising is the criminal in this instance, because sometimes it helps people with not quite so much money to pick out what is the best value for money.

Will not the hon. Lady recognise that this Question invites the soubriquet for the hon. Member of "Scrooge"?

I sometimes think that if hon. Members opposite were as concerned about widows and lower-paid workers as are my hon. Friends, life in this country would be a lot simpler.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has sent to the Liverpool City Council to its recent request for financial assistance for Liverpool Airport.

I am still considering the request for financial assistance made by the delegation which called on me on 27th October and amplified in a letter received earlier this month.

Is the Minister aware that the crying need of this airport is for more traffic? Will he undertake to the House that he will put no obstacles in the way of airlines wishing to use this airport? In particular, would he explain to the House why he found himself unable to accept the application of an American airline which wished to fly in and out of Liverpool?

The hon. Member has mentioned some of the considerations which are present in our minds in considering this application; a few others were added in the letter which we received. I can only assure him that we shall give close attention to all that has been said to us and that we shall send a reply as soon as possible.

Will not the Minister agree that it is inconsistent for the Government to subsidise this form of rapidly increasing passenger transport when it is their policy not to subsidise other forms of passenger transport which are declining?

I do not think that we can engage in a detailed argument about the propriety of certain policies with regard to various airports and various kinds of service, especially not at Question Time, but I take the point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the White Paper on the Report of the Edwards Committee on Civil Aviation will be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish a White Paper on the Edwards Committee Report on civil air transport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement about the Government's proposals for the air transport industry in the light of the Edwards Committee Report.

The White Paper was published on 12th November.

In the Edwards Report it was recommended that the objective of civil aviation in this country should be to provide the best service to the customer consistent with safety. Do the Government accept that recommendation or do they, as it appears in the White Paper, water it down?

No, Sir. Safety is always in the forefront of our minds. No doubt the hon. Gentleman is aware that we even had a short debate about air safety on the Adjournment last night.

Can my right hon. Friend say how he hopes to incorporate the A.R.B. in the proposed civil aviation authority? Will he still be able to make use of the large amounts of voluntary work done on this body by the leaders of industry?

Yes, I hope that that will continue. My hon. Friend should be aware that the A.R.B., the A.T.L.B., B.O.A.C. and B.E.A., people whose contracts were running out during the course of next year, will be receiving an extra 12 months' contract so that we can use all the expertise necessary in the formation of the civil aviation authority, but we hope that those who have given us a great deal of experience and advice in voluntary capacities will continue to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the answer which he gave me last week when he indicated that the civil aviation authority would be responsible for the restructuring of private industry in accordance with the Government's White Paper? Is not this properly the responsibility of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation, if its services are required? Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if the private sector asks for the services of the I.R.C., those services will be accorded to it?

I would have thought that if the civil aviation authority wished to use the services of the I.R.C., it would certainly do so, but at this stage I do not think it is necessary.

My hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue) asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would confirm that the objective, subject to safety, would be service to the customer. That was the answer required.

It has always been recognised that the national corporations, B.E.A. and B.O.A.C, have always set the highest standards of safety in civil aviation; that will continue.

I am a little mixed up. As I am supposed to be flying out from Liverpool Airport tomorrow night, will my right hon. Friend say whether Liverpool Airport will be there tomorrow night?

Order. That was a supplementary question on the last Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the increase in export orders resulting from British participation in the Asian Fair held in Teheran in October, 196.

I cannot at present estimate what exports may result from British participation in this fair last month. Initial reports by British firms taking part make it clear that the fair provided excellent opportunities for them on a growing market.

Does my hon. Friend subscribe to the view that in practice this turned out to be an Iranian rather than an Asian fair? Is she aware that the British pavilion, which I had the opportunity to visit, was generally rated as the best there?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his second remark. He should not underestimate the number of nations taking part. In this instance it was more than 40. I think that the fair provided many opportunities to British businessmen.

Will my hon. Friend send the congratulations of the House to all those responsible for organising the British stand at this fair? Without doubt, it was by far the best there and was a first-class effort.

I will gladly do so. The work done by the Fairs Division of the Board of Trade is some of the most efficient of any display services anywhere.

Will the hon. Lady arrange for photographs of the British pavilions at these various fairs to be exhibited so that hon. Members may see them?

The pavilion had a special roof and some other architectural features of considerable interest. I will certainly try to obtain photographs for the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his proposals for new ways of encouraging invisible exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his new proposals for encouraging invisible exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to increase the United Kingdom's invisible trade surplus.

The Government give assistance in a number of ways. I shall be discussing the situation with the Committee on Invisible Exports next month.

As experience since devaluation has shown that there is a direct relationship between the volume of invisible exports and larger costs to invisible importers overseas, will the right hon. Gentleman discuss in these talks the possibility of reducing invisible export costs by the abolition of S.E.T. paid by those who are invisible exporters?

Of course I recognise that invisible exports have done extremely well in recent times. However, I know that I shall have to trawl old ground and that the S.E.T. argument will come to the fore. I cannot promise that I shall relieve them of it.

Whatever may be the result of the right hon. Gentleman's forthcoming consideration of this matter, is he not aware that there is already a report, which is now two years old, which makes recommendations for helping the service industries by way of tax, the Queen's Award for Industry and statistics? Could he not get on with some of those recommendations now?

I have already read the report and seen the recommendations. I have no doubt that they will be before us when I meet the Committee on Invisible Exports.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept the advice of the Committee on Invisible Exports and separate the contribution which the private sector has made to net invisible earnings from the burdens imposed by the Government's invisible earnings and thereby show the extraordinary extent to which the City has saved the Government's economic bacon?

I would not agree that it is only the City which has saved the country's economic bacon. The hon. Gentleman should be, and no doubt is, aware that there has been much productive enterprise on the shop floor in order to get the visibles off the ground, too. However, I am aware also that the exporters of invisibles feel that there is much mystique in their operations and that they would like to have their image enhanced, and I will look at that, too.

In view of the rapid growth of invisible earnings since the advent of S.E.T., will not my right hon. Friend study whether it has been positively advantageous in this respect?

It may well have acted as a spur.

This is a serious point. Is it being argued by the Minister that the result of doing well with invisible exports is to be welcomed by a tax imposed on those who have achieved those invisible exports? S.E.T. is certainly a handicap to invisible exporters. Will not the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?

I cannot promise, but I said that I would have to trawl over old ground and this includes S.E.T. Invisible exporters have done remarkably well in spite of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to publish the Study of Export Profitability which the Economic Research Intelligence Unit of his Department has undertaken; and when this report may be expected.

Yes. Preparation of the study for publication is well advanced and I hope that it will appear as a Board of Trade Economic Paper early in 1970.

While welcoming the Parliamentary Secretary's statement, may I ask her to press on and ensure that there is no delay, because it would be most helpful that these matters should be thoroughly discussed with a view to reaching policy decisions?

I am sure that the study will be of great assistance. The difficulty was that although it was based on a limited study, the information that we have received in answer to many questions needed to be correlated very carefully before it could be produced. We are certainly pressing on with it now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by how much he estimates that imports will increase when the rate of import deposits is reduced from 50 per cent. to 40 percent.

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate.

If it is not possible to make a reliable estimate, why choose the figure of 40 per cent.? Why not 30 per cent. or 20 per cent.? Is it not a fact that the Government, by extending the import deposits scheme, are acting in ignorance of the effect of the scheme and fear of what might happen if it comes off? Is the hon. Lady aware that ignorance and fear seem to be the two motives?

Unlike previous Governments this Government never acts from ignorance or fear. The hon. Gentleman who waxes, so eloquent, might like to know that between 1964 and 1968 imports rose on average 13 per cent. whereas in the first three quarters of last year they were only 5½ per cent. higher.

Have the Government even attempted to make such an estimate?

What we need is accurate information, and it seems to us to be better to use the indicators I have already given than simply say at the present moment that this is the effect of the import deposits scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to reach a conclusion regarding the national exhibition centre.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the committee set up by his Department to examine the possibilities of establishing a national exhibition centre in this country; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when his Department will make a final decision on the proposals for a national exhibition centre now under consideration.

I am aware of the urgency of this problem and I will announce my decision at the earliest possible moment. To this end the Steering Committee set up under my noble Friend the Minister of State to consider the national exhibition centre met last week at my request to review urgently the latest proposals.

As this has been going on for ten years, might I press the President of the Board of Trade to reach a rapid decision? In the building of the exhibition centre could we have proper international conference facilities? While this is being considered, could I press upon the right hon. Gentleman the advantages of having the centre at Northolt, which is not only close to my constituency but is on the edge of the greatest airport of the greatest city in Western Europe?

I think it is an urgent matter. It has been hanging fire since 1958, and I intend to deal with it urgently.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a quick decision on this will benefit not only the South but the North-East and the other development districts? Is he aware that in reply to an Adjournment debate on 12th February his hon. Friend told me that this matter would not just be noted but would be actively considered, and that those concerned would get on with the job?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are powerful and compelling arguments for siting the centre in the Midlands, subject to certain safeguards? Would he not agree that it is much healthier that we should have a full and factual statement as soon as possible rather than constant leaks in the Press?

Yes. I have one proposal before me, and only one, which is receiv- ing my urgent consideration. The hon. Gentleman is aware of it. I have no equivalent proposal before me to compare with it. This is the proposal for a possible site in Birmingham, and it is the one to which I am now applying my mind.

In reaching his decision, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the great and increasing congestion in the London area, and the availability in the Midlands of a site at the heart of a national communications system by road, rail and air?

Yes. The right hon. Gentleman is making a good case for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Birmingham City Council.

May I press the case of the Birmingham lobby on this? Might I ask the Minister, before he finally comes to a decision, to bear in mind the peculiar and particular advantages of the site already suggested, which has very good rail and air links and is already in the centre of the industrial Midlands?

Communications will be particularly important, and I am certainly taking note of what my hon. Friend has said.

Since the right hon. Gentleman has been asked so strongly to consider Birmingham, will he bear in mind the importance of carrying with him in his decision the majority of the national exhibitors, and industry as a whole? Would he also bear in mind the importance of securing proper hotel arrangements for visitors?

The Birmingham proposal, of course, includes the building of a new hotel. As for exhibitors, if this did go to the Midlands it would be likely that their rates would be cheaper because the acquisition of land would be cheaper. The building would consequently go up much quicker than down here. As a result I would have thought that exhibitors would quickly accept that it is a good area in which to exhibit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy with regard to transfer of companies registered in this country to other countries where that company has interests in Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

This is not a matter in which the Board of Trade has any powers under the Companies Acts.

If my hon. Friend accepts that it is a question of someone seeking to have something done legally so that he could trade with Rhodesia, and thus get round the Act, why does she say that her Department is not responsible? Surely someone must be responsible?

We have found no evidence showing that there has been a breach of the sanctions legislation. We should, of course, take action if any was discovered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in the modernisation of Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had on the need for a new runway and other facilities at Turn-house Airport; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has had in the last month concerning the need to extend and improve the facilities at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh; and view the need to foster industrial development in the east of Scotland, if he will now treat this matter as one of urgency.

Representations have been received from a variety of sources, including four since mid-October, pressing for major improvements to be made at Turnhouse. I am aware of the importance and increasing urgency of this issue to Edinburgh and to Scotland, and I am sorry that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Following the recent near miss between a Vanguard and a Hunter, has any directive been given to the military in Scotland not to divert military aircraft to Turnhouse until such time as ground radar has been installed?

That is another question. I have drafted a letter in reply to my hon. Friend's letter on this point.