§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the trading figures between the United Kingdom and Liberia for each of the past five years; and what Export Credits Guarantee Department rating that country is given.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 20 May 1992]: Figures for United Kingdom/Liberia trade for the last five years are:
£ million 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 United Kingdom exports 13.5 11.6 15.1 8.6 8.8 United Kingdom imports 7.3 9.5 12.7 13.2 0.9 Trade balance +6.2 +2.1 +2.4 -4.6 +7.9 ECGD medium-term cover (ie for business on credit terms of two years or more) is not available for Liberia.
Export credit cover for short term business (ie generally on credit of up to 180 days) became the responsibility of the private sector in December 1991.