HC Deb 26 October 1976 vol 918 c193W
Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much of the increase in the United Kingdom deficit with the EEC Six on trade in manufactures since 1970 is due to tariff reductions and how much to other causes; and what were those other causes.

Mr. Dell

A number of factors have affected our trade in manufactured goods with the EEC Six since 1970. The rise in world commodity prices, especially of oil, the depreciation of sterling and economic developments in both the United Kingdom and the countries of the Six, have all contributed. It is not possible to separate out the effects of the tariff reductions from these other influences.