HC Deb 27 November 1991 vol 199 cc896-7
3. Mr. Ian Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the level of the United Kingdom's exports in 1990–91 to (a) the United States of America and (b) Japan.

Mr. Sainsbury

In the year to September 1991, the value of United Kingdom visible exports to the United States of America was almost double the level of a decade earlier, while exports to Japan had nearly quadrupled.

Mr. Taylor

My hon. Friend gives impressive figures which underline the importance of a successful outcome to the GATT talks. Will he give the House more information on the Priority Japan campaign which is being run with British industry? I understand that it has already achieved positive results and it shows just what British industry can do.

Mr. Sainsbury

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend about the importance of a successful outcome to the Uruguay round of GATT. As a result of the Priority Japan campaign, which my Department launched with British industry, British exports to Japan have risen by no less than 80 per cent. since 1988.

Mr. Beggs

Does the Minister agree that we should all congratulate those British companies that have contributed to the success in export achievements? Does he further agree that the levels achieved have been assisted by investment in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, by American and Japanese companies? Will he continue to encourage further investment, which will lead automatically to further increases in exports?

Mr. Sainsbury

The hon. Gentleman is right to recognise the importance of inward investment in contributing to export success. For example, our exports of television sets substantially exceed imports. Investment in Northern Ireland, as in other parts of the United Kingdom, is important. That is why I am so concerned about the hostile attitude to inward investment taken by the Trades Union Congress and the failure of the Opposition to repudiate the TUC view.

Mr. Anthony Coombs

Will my hon. Friend confirm that exports have increased by 70 per cent. over the past 10 years and that this country now exports more per head than even the Japanese? Over the past three months Bristol Babcock in my constituency has received export orders of £10 million.

Mr. Sainsbury

My hon. Friend is right. The success of our manufactured exports gives the lie to the Opposition's portrayal of manufacturing. British exporters have been extremely successful and that is because the Government have provided them with the right framework for success.