HC Deb 21 February 1983 vol 37 cc649-50
5. Mr. Knox

asked the Minister for Trade what percentage, by value, British exports to the European Community have represented of total exports in each of the past three years.

Mr. Peter Rees

In 1980, 1981 and 1982 United Kingdom visible exports to the other countries of the European Community represented 43 per cent., 41 per cent. and 42 per cent., respectively, of the United Kingdom's total visible exports.

Mr. Knox

Will my hon. and learned Friend confirm that since we joined the EC in 1973 our exports to the Community have increased more rapidly than our exports to other parts of the world? If we were to withdraw from the EC, would not that trend be put in sharp decline?

Mr. Rees

It is true that the other countries of the EC provide our fastest growing export market. Indeed, of the top 10 countries to which we export, about seven or eight are members of the EC. That healthy export trend might be imperilled if we were to follow the absurd advice of the Labour party and withdraw, on whatever basis, from the EC.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Will the Minister reveal to the House the value of manufactured goods being imported into Britain and paid for with precious North sea oil revenue? Is it not time that the Government realised that the undermining of our manufacturing industry is putting so many of our people out of work?

Mr. Rees

The hon. Gentleman conveniently overlooks the surpluses that are generated by non-manufactured exports, by oil exports and by exports from the service sector.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

How many of these exports come from companies in this country set up with foreign investment? Does my hon. and learned Friend believe that such investment would continue if we withdrew from the Common Market?

Mr. Rees

It is true that the United Kingdom is a favoured base for investment by, for example, United States and Japanese companies. It is very likely that if we withdrew from the European Community on the basis suggested by the Labour party that trend would not continue.

Mr. Straw

Is not the reality that the 43 per cent. figure includes oil and services and that our record on the export of manufactures and semi-manufactures is much worse? Do not almost two thirds of our exports of manufactures and semi-manufactures go to countries outside the EC? If our export record to the EC is successful, how does the Minister explain the fall in our proportion of exports of manufactures to the EC in each year since 1979'?

Mr. Rees

The hon. Gentleman, like his hon. Friends, is highly selective in his choice of statistics. A Fairer approach is to consider total British exports, including the exports that have been achieved in the service and oil sectors. I have already demonstrated that our exports, by volume and by value, increased in 1982.