§ Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the balance of trade in manufactures with West Germany is in greater deficit than that with Japan.
§ Mr. Peter Rees [pursuant to his reply, 27 October 1981]: In absolute terms this was the case in 1980, but our trade with and notably our exports to the Federal Republic of Germany were also greater. The ratio of exports to imports for the United Kingdom's trade in manufactures with Germany was over 60 per cent. compared with less than 30 per cent. with Japan.
§ Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will consider similar action with regard to West Germany as that he is considering with regard to Japan in order to achieve balanced trade.
§ Mr. Peter Rees [pursuant to his reply, 27 October 1981, c. 317]: The two cases are quite dissimilar. The Federal Republic of Germany is a fellow member State of the European Community and, moreover, constitutes the United Kingdom's largest single export market.