British Glimmers

Amid all the gloom (see above), there were bright spots in Britain's foreign trade:

P: The government-owned British Overseas Airways Corp. reported a profit of -L-40,000 ($112,000) for the second quarter, the first quarterly profit in BOAC history. BOAC's methods: cut personnel (from 23,000 in 1948 to 16,000 at present), run fewer planes (70 v. 130 in 1948) and bigger ones (BOAC now operates nothing but Boeing Stratocruisers on its North Atlantic runs), emphasize personal service. Result: BOAC can now break even on 70% passenger capacity, v. the 100% required three years ago.

ܨ The British auto industry, reported the Yearbook of International Trade Statistics, outfooted U.S. automakers in volume of exports last year by a wide margin. Of slightly less than 1,000,000 cars and trucks exported by all nations, Britain accounted for 540,000, the U.S. for only 260,000. Biggest buyer of British cars: Australia (76,246). Biggest British gainers in the U.S. market: Austin, up 50% to 5,450; Rootes Motors (Hillman Minx, Sunbeam-Talbot, etc.), up 700% to 5,000.

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