HC Deb 24 February 1977 vol 926 c695W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the net flow of resources that will need to go into the balance of trade in goods and services between 1976 and 1979 in order to move into substantial balance of payments surplus in 1978, and to achieve a further improvement in 1979, as suggested in paragraph 53 of Command Paper No. 6721–I; and whether he will publish that estimate.

Mr. Joel Barnett

Movements in the resource balance over the next few years depend on many factors, including the level of world trade and our ability to compete in markets at home and abroad. I do not think publication of any estimates would be appropriate.

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