§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of visible trading surplus for that part of 1972 for which figures are now available; and how this figure compares with the amounts of the same period during each of the last four years.
§ Mr. NobleIn the first four months of 1972 there was a deficit of £164 million, seasonally adjusted. For earlier corresponding periods figures are: 1968. deficit of £241 million; 1969, deficit of £175 million; 1970, surplus of £78 million; and 1971, deficit of £31 million.