HC Deb 04 December 1975 vol 901 cc738-9W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the 20 commodities whose import most adversely affect the balance of payments, together with the annual cost of importing each of these items.

Mr. Deakins

It is not possible to calculate the impact of individual commodities on the balance of payments since much of the information necessary to compile the balance of payments is only available in aggregate form. Information relating to the cost of importing commodities may be obtained from the monthly publication "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library of the House, and in particular from Table II which provides the information in summary form.