HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc1130-1
8. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has recently conducted a review into the quality and scope of the trade statistics issued by his Department.

Mr. Dell

The overseas trade statistics are kept under continuous review.

Mr. Dykes

But as the gross trading figures with our other EEC partners exaggerate the amount of the so-called deficit by including the food imports from other countries as well and a large amount of entrepot trade which flows primarily through Holland and Belgium, would not it be a good idea for the Secretary of State to make this clear by adjusting the explanation behind those views so that the anti-EEC forces in this country, small though they be, are not able to perpetrate the myth about a gigantic EEC deficit?

Mr. Dell

An article was recently published in Trade and Industry which brought out the point that the hon. Gentleman mentions. Therefore, those students of the subject who are interested can inform themselves about it.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Although the balance of payments statistics have improved under this Government, would not they be greatly improved if my right hon. Friend would reconsider the question of selective import controls, which have been demanded by both the TUC and the CBI? Many industries in this country feel that they have been jeopardised by dumping policies.

Mr. Dell

That is precisely the question—whether our trade figures would be improved by action of the kind that my hon. Friend recommends. If as a result we lost exports, the balance of trade figures would not be improved.