§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his written reply dated 23 March Official Report, column 329–330, concerning the export figures referred to in his Budget speech, whether he will publish in the Official Report (a) corresponding figures for manufactures less erratics on (i) the 1975 base and (ii) the fourth quarter 1981 base, (b) the reasons for the change in export documentation and the number of working days' exports represented by £250 million and (c) the change in nominal and real exchange rates over the period.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyne(a) Figures for exports of manufactures less erratics are not prepared on a balance of payments basis.
(b) The change in procedures for recording exports were introduced on 1 October 1981 following 3 years' consultations with national trade associations. The new procedures give effect to the EC Directive on exports, improve the recording of exports and enable the Community transit procedures to be applied more effectively. The sum of £250 million represents the average value for one to two working days of total exports.