HC Deb 05 December 1989 vol 163 cc150-1W
Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects British manufacturing trade to be in balance with(a) West Germany and (b) the rest of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Redwood

The Government are committed to free trade as being in the best interests of the United Kingdom. We cannot expect this to produce a trade balance with every partner; nevertheless, the Government recognise the importance of continuing to encourage and support exports through, inter alia, the activities of the British Overseas Trade Board and ECGD.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the manufacturing trade deficit with West Germany.

Mr. Redwood

In the first nine months of 1989 imports of manufactures into the United Kingdom consigned from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £7.4 billion.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the growth in imports in manufacturing goods from West Germany since 1979.

Mr. Redwood

Imports of manufactured goods from West Germany have risen, at current prices, from £5.3 billion in 1979 to £16.6 billion in 1988, an increase of £11.3 billion.