§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her Answer of 2 December 2003,Official Report, column 24W, if she will make a statement on the goods trade deficit with the European Union for (a) the last year for which figures are available and (b) the previous six years. [142857]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAccording to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, the UK goods trade deficit with the European Union in 2002 amounted to £20.2 billion. Figures for the previous six years were as follows:
UK goods trade deficit with the European Union 1996—2001 £billion, current prices 1996 -4.9 1997 .4.5 1998 -6.3 1999 -8.4 2000 -5.3 2001 -11.7 Note:
To some extent the deficit reflects the relative strength of the UK economy
Source:
Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, ONS