HC Deb 14 May 1973 vol 856 cc1009-10
16. Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage increase in United Kingdom exports to the original six EEC members for March 1973 as compared with March 1972; and what proportion these United Kingdom exports represented out of total United Kingdom exports for March 1972 and March 1973. respectively.

Mr. Peter Walker

The increase was 25 per cent.; the proportion was 24 per cent. in each month, but quarterly figures are better indicators. Between the first quarters of 1972 and 1973 exports to the Six grew by 29 per cent.—compared with an overall growth of 22 per cent.

Mr. Deakins

Are the Government satisfied with the situation in which British exporters concentrate more and more on one market—the Common Market—to the exclusion of the rest of the world, as these figures seem to suggest? Surely the prosperity of this country must be based on an approach to all the markets of the world and a big selling effort in them all, not to the exclusion of any.

Mr. Walker

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. That is why I am delighted that exports have increased in virtually every market. Overall, in the first three months of this year we have increased exports by well over 20 per cent. in the world.

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