§ 35. Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Minister for Trade what was the percentage change in the balance of trade in manufactured goods in January compared with January 1980, January 1981 and January 1982.
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§ Mr. Peter ReesPercentage changes in trade balances are not meaningful because trade balances are highly volatile and may be positive negative or zero. The following table provides the balance of trade in manufactures in the requested periods.
United Kingdom trade balance in manufactured goods balance of payments basis, seasonally adjusted £ million January 1979 -365 January 1980 -411 January 1981 -722 January 1982 -156 January 1983 +534