HC Deb 20 January 1981 vol 997 cc81-2W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish a table showing the deficit or surplus in trade with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, in manufactured goods, excluding oil and precious stones, in 1980; and if he will publish a table showing the relative deficits or surpluses in each year since 1970.

Mr. Parkinson

The available information is as follows:

United Kingdom crude trade balance in manufactures* less precious stoneswith the European Communityand rest of the world
European Community £ million Rest of the world £ million
1970 +385 +1,832
1971 +293 +2,453
1972 +10 +2,101
1973 -381 +1,773
≑1974 -713 +2,398
1975 -603 +4,136
1976 -650 +4,675
1977 -807 +5,894
1978 -1,866 +5,474
1979 -2,843 +4,166
1980 -1,884 +5,556
Notes:
* SITC sections 5 to 8 (oil is classified to section 3 and not included under manufactures).
† Taken as SITC 66 (non-metallic mineral manufactures nes) as full details of trade in precious stones with the European Community are not available. In value terms precious stones now account for about 70 per cent. of the United Kingdom's trade with the Community (excluding Greece) under SITC 66.
‡ Including Greece.
≑ Figures up to 1974 are on a Rev. 1 basis and subsequently on Rev. 2. The resulting discontinuity is, however, very small.

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the main reasons for substantial deficit in trade in manufactures with the EEC in the years 1977 to 1979 by comparison with the substantial surplus in such trade with the rest of the world.

Mr. Parkinson

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.