HC Deb 20 December 1971 vol 828 c239W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest annual rate of imports from and exports to Israel; how these figures compare with a year earlier; and for the longest stated period of time, what has been the annual balance of trade between the two countries.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Imports and exports in January to November, 1971, at an annual rate were £53 million and £114 million respectively compared with £45 million and £96 million in 1970. Figures for the trade balance are not available for individual countries. Figures of imports c.i.f. and exports f.o.b. are published, but the difference between them is not a good measure of the visible trade balance because,inter alia, of the difference in the bases of valuation.