Balance of Trade (EFTA)

HC Deb 20 July 1988 vol 137 c608W

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the United Kingdom balance of trade in(a) manufacturing and (b) generally, for European Free Trade Association countries, for each year since 1979.

Mr. Alan Clark

The information is in the table.

United Kingdom balance of trade with EFTA
Overseas trade statistics basis—£ billion
	Total visible trade	Manufactures1
1979	-1.8	-1.4
1980	-0.9	-0.5
1981	-1.6	-0.9
1982	-1.9	-1.3
1983	-3.1	-1.8
1984	-4.3	-2.3
1985	-4.7	-2.4
1986	-5.1	-3.0
1987	-5.3	-3.1

Notes:

¹ Standard International Trade Classification (Rev2) Sections 5 to 8.

EFTA—present membership throughout.

Sources: United Kingdom overseas trade statistics

Monthly review of external trade statistics.