HC Deb 03 April 1990 vol 170 cc522-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year from 1970 to 1989, on a balance of payments basis, his estimate of the balance of visible trade with the world and with the European Economic Community Twelve on the basis of (i) 1989 and (ii) 1985 prices; and if he will add figures for visible trade less oil and erratic items;

(2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for each year from 1970 to 1989, on a balance of payments basis, the balance of trade in manufactures less erratic items with the European Economic Community and with the rest of the world as a percentage of gross domestic product to two places of decimals.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Information from which United Kingdom world trade balances at constant prices may be derived can be found on the Central Statistical Office database, which may be accessed through the Library of the House. Estimates for trade with the European Community are available only at current prices, and information about manufactures less erratic items on a balance of payments basis is not available by area.