EXPORTS BY BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26477, 19 July 1951, Page 7

EXPORTS BY BRITAIN

Problems Facing

Government

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. The "Daily Mail” gays that the Government will ask trade unions to assist in a greater productivity drive to by sui WBS Trades Union Congress general council on Friday to discuss the present economic problems confronting the Government. Later Mr Gaitskell, in the House of Commons, will warn the nation that exceptional steps may be necessary to fend off inflation. . A full debate, possibly next week, is likely on Britain's economic ana ■rade position. Political correspond" ents claim It is worsening at a pace which is causing the Government serious concern. Several Ministers in recent speeches have expressed concern that rising import prices and falling exports seemed to be producing a much wider trade gap than the Government ex. pected. and have said that but for its accumulated gold reserves Britain might be facing the same sort of ecnnomic crisis-she had in 1948. The Government has made no secret of its attempts to secure international control of raw materials prices which, it has been announced, have risen tn such an extent that Britain is. faced with increases in its imports bill this year totalling at least £5OO 000,000. Britain is now paying 42 per cent, more than in 1950 for imports a» • whole, and 72 per cent, more for imported raw materials. Export prices have risen by only 18 per cent