HC Deb 23 February 1977 vol 926 cc591-2W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the value of imported food, beverages, tobacco, fuel and basic industrial raw materials as a percentage of the visible import bill for each year since 1970.

Mr. Meacher

The figures are:

IMPORTS OF FOOD, BEVERAGES, TOBACCO, FUELS AND BASIC INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL IMPORTS
(Balance of Payments Basis)
Percentages
1970 … … … … 46.2
1971 … … … … 46.1
1972 … … … … 42.5
1973 … … … … 40.7
1974 … … … … 46.2
1975 … … … … 44.8
1976 … … … … 45*
* Provisional estimate.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will list in the Official Report the value of imports, minus food, beverages, tobacco, fuels and basic industrial raw materials, as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year since 1970;

(2) if he will list in the Official Report the value of imports as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year since 1970.

Mr. Meacher

The figures are:

IMPORTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP AT FACTOR COST
Total imports(Balance of Payments Basis) Total imports minus food, beverages, tobacco, fuels and basic materials (Balance of Payments Basis)
Percentage
1970 … 18.2 9.8
1971 … 17.4 9.4
1972 … 17.9 10.3
1973 … 22.2 13.2
1974 … 28.7 15.5
1975 … 23.6 13.0
1976 … 26.0* 15.0*
*Provisional estimate.