HC Deb 29 February 2000 vol 345 c185W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's total exports received ECGD cover in each of the last three years. [111010]

Mr. Caborn

The data required to answer this question accurately is not readily available.

In particular, whereas UK Export statistics relate to the year in which the goods were delivered or the work performed, ECGD business statistics relate to the year of guarantee issue. Deliveries of goods or performance of work under guaranteed contracts may continue for a period of several years thereafter.

In view of this lack of correlation it is not possible to provide the year-by-year analysis which you have requested. However, from data readily available, ECGD estimates that it may have covered some 2.3 per cent. of the total UK exports in this period.