§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Trade why he is withdrawing service to firms anxious to increase their overseas exports by ceasing to publish the Overseas Traders List Services; what assistance he proposes to give in order to replace this publication, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Parkinson:The withdrawal of this service was part of a package of economy measures announced by the Secretary of State on 30 April, designed to cut staff numbers and reduce expenditure in the Department. The service is not being replaced, but names of overseas traders can be obtained from other sources. These include foreign trade directories and the services of mailing list specialists. A wide range of other Government services to exporters remains in operation.
54W
United Kingdom trade with European Community United Kingdom trade with Rest of World Exports Imports Crude balance Exports Imports Crude balance UNITED KINGDOM TRADE WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND REST OF WORLD £ million OTS basis Total trade 1970 … 2,354 2,439 −85 5,707 6,598 −891 1971 … 2,659 2,914 −255 6,522 6,907 −385 1972 … 2,938 3,519 −581 6,807 7,619 −812 1973 … 4,030 5,208 −1,178 8,424 10,632 −2,207 1974 … 5,502 7,704 −2,202 10,993 15,363 −4,370 1975 … 6,417 8,786 −2,369 13,504 15,342 −1,838 1976* … 9,168 11,385 −2,217 16,601 19,770 −3,169 1977 … 12,156 14,173 −2,017 21,175 22,805 −1,630 1978 … 14,084 16,576 −2,492 23,298 24,354 −1,056 1979 … 17,885 20,896 −3,011 24,919 27,571 −2,653 1980—January—September¶ … 15,461 15,977 −517 21,352 23,739 −2,387