HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 c25W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister for Trade whether, in 1981 and 1982 to date, the United Kingdom is a net manufacturing importer.

Mr. Peter Rees

Figures on the preferred balance of payments basis for 1981 show that United Kingdom trade in manufactures was in surplus by almost £5 billion. In the first nine months of 1982 the surplus was about £1.5 billion.