HL Deb 21 December 1983 vol 446 cc726-7

11.16 a.m.

Lord Gainford

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the current visible balance of trade with France in 1982 and how this compares with 1972.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, in 1972 there was a deficit of £92 million, and in 1982 a positive balance of £223 million.

Lord Gainford

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that very encouraging information. Can he also confirm that, in spite of the unfortunate economic tension that exists between Britain and France, membership of the EEC has improved the situation for British exporters to France?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, indeed, I am happy to give my noble friend that assurance. I am sure that he and your Lordships will be glad to know that France is high on the list of the countries providing a most important market for the United Kingdom.

Lord Ezra

My Lords, will the noble Lord not agree that, whereas the trend in our balance of trade with France shows a favourable tendency, when one looks at the whole of western Europe, and if one compares the first nine months of this year with the first nine months of last year, one sees that there has been a growth of no less than £2 billion in the trade deficit? Will the noble Lord agree that this deterioration calls for an urgent review of our trading position with western Europe?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the noble Lord has presented some figures, and they are all contained, together with several others, in this very valuable volume of statistics which is to be found in your Lordships' Library. However, the noble Lord and I have discussed this problem many times in your Lordships' House in recent months. Indeed, the Government are continually reviewing the position.