§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the decline between 1977 and 1988 in the United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactures less erratics was due to overheating of the economy and what part to the increase in relative export prices for manufactures and in the terms of trade for finished manufactures between 1976 and 1987; what was the percentage increase in each case; and if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing, on the basis of information in the Treasury model of the economy, the reduction in the rate of economic growth and alternatively in the trade-weighted nominal exchange rate in 1990 and 1991 required to enable the deficit to be eliminated by the end of 1991, all other assumptions remaining unchanged.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the improvement in the balance of trade in finished manufactures between the United Kingdom and the United States of America between 1980 and 1987 and the deterioration between 1977 and 1980 and since 1987 is due to overheating in one economy or the other and what part to the movement in relative prices of importable and exportable goods; and if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the United Kingdom balance of trade with the United States of America (i) total trade less oil, (ii) manufactures less erratics and (iii) finished manufactures less erratics together with the ratio of the relative export prices for manufactures based on 1980 = 100.
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§ Mr. Norman LamontThe information requested, with the exception of the data on trade with the United States of America, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I shall answer when resources permit.