OVERSEAS ORDERS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 12

OVERSEAS ORDERS

Big Jump In Values Overseas orders by surveyed firms in March were 41 per cent higher in value than orders placed in March of last year, according to the Government Statistician (Mr J. V. T. Baker). This is 24 per cent higher than the normal monthly average for the last year. Orders placed were valued at £16.9m against £l2m foi March, 1964. Largest in creases were by machinery and transport equipment, valued at £6.3m (£4.2m last year), mineral fuels £3.5m (£l.6m) and base metals and manufactures of metal £2m (£l.lm). Food, beverages and tobacco fell from £l.3m last vear to £709,000. Overseas payments were £l.2m down at £ll.Bm and most of the decrease was in the food, beverages and tobacco group, £l.4m lower at £809,000. Orders placed overseas bv surveyed firms in the halfyear to April 1 were £Blm, or 6 per cent higher than the value of £76.3m for orders in the half-year to April 1 of last year. Payments in the same six months were £7.4m lower at £70.6m. If the pattern of previous years is followed, private import payments will average £26.8m a month from April to June and £27.4m a month from July to September. Last year's comparable averages were £25.1m and £2sm respectively.