HC Deb 27 July 1981 vol 9 cc802-3
1. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the balance of trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Economic Community during the first six months of 1981; and how this compares with the first six months of 1971.

16. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the balance of trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community for each of the last six months.

The Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. John Biffen)

Detailed overseas trade statistics for the United Kingdom for 1981 are available only for January. In that month the United Kingdom had a crude trade deficit of £18 million with the European Community in manufactured goods compared with a surplus of £18 million for the same month of 1971.

Mr. Dubs

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that a longer run of figures would show clearly that membership of the Common Market has been a positive disadvantage to Britain's industry and trade, and that the hopes that were expressed at the time of our joining the EEC have by no means been fulfilled?

Mr. Biffen

A longer run of figures would indicate that in 1980 the United Kingdom had a deficit of £1,800 million with the other nations of the European Community. However, about two-thirds of that deficit was accounted for by a deficit in motor vehicle trade. That may tell us as much about the United Kingdom motor vehicle industry as about British trade with the European Community.

Mr. Squire

I recognise that manufacturing industry is important, but will my right hon. Friend accept that if account is taken of all our trading, including invisible earnings, which have traditionally been one of our large areas of income, we have performed very well within Europe? It no more makes sense to isolate manufacturing industry than it does to isolate any other one sector.

Mr. Biffen

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right in saying that one should be careful about isolating figures to try to produce an answer that is congenial. However, our invisible trade balance with Europe is adverse.

Mr. Tom Ellis

Will the Secretary of State confirm that nearly 60 per cent. of all our exports are to the Community or to the European countries associated with the Community?

Mr. Biffen

That is right. That figure is one that goes beyond the Community. However, it would be true if one were to take Europe in its geographic rather than its narrow political sense.

Later—

Mr. Marlow

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Briefly, at five minutes to 3 o'clock, I was told that my question, had been bracketed with question 1. It was answered at 25 minutes to 3 o'clock. Hon. Members have business which they arrange well in advance and if told beforehand they can rearrange that business. In the circumstances, not knowing anything about it, it was quite impossible to do anything about it. Can you ask the Government to devise a better system for warning hon. Members than the one we have now?

Mr. Speaker

The usual channels will have heard what the hon. Gentleman has said.

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