§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the United Kingdom share of world trade in manufactures in the fourth quarter of 1982 on a current and on a 1975 weighted basis; and whether he will publish whatever evidence is available to him showing United Kingdom export performance in manufactures in 1983 to date compared with that of other leading industrial countries.
§ Mr. ChannonIn the fourth quarter of 1982, the United Kingdom volume share of world trade in manufactures is estimated to have been 7.4 per cent. on a current-weighted basis and 8.7 per cent. on a 1975-weighted basis.
The volume of United Kingdom exports of manufactures declined by 3½ per cent. in the first quarter of 1983 compared with the corresponding quarter of 1982; according to United Nations statistics, exports from North America were 6 per cent. down and from the European Community, including the United Kingdom, 1½ per cent. down.