HC Deb 29 January 1975 vol 885 cc200-1W
Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what quantities of bananas have been imported from the West Indies and other former British colonies, and the former French colonies, respectively, for each year since 1970.

Mr. Deakins

Following are the imports of fresh bananas:

inter alia, of differences in valuation. However, commodity figures of trade are not available on a balance of payments basis.

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the percentage increase in our total trade deficit between 1973 and 1974 with the other eight EEC countries, EFTA, the Commonwealth, the USA and the rest of the world, respectively.

Mr. Deakins

Percentage changes between 1973 and 1974 in the crude trade deficits with the areas given in the Question are as follows: +90, +21, -11, +397, +202.

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the percentage increase in our non-oil trade deficit and our total trade deficit with the EEC and with the rest of the world, respectively, between 1973 and 1974.

Mr. Deakins

It is provisionally estimated that our trade deficit, on a balance of payments basis, with the EEC in non-oil goods and in total trade rose by about 70 per cent. and 80 per cent. respectively between 1973 and 1974. For the rest of the world our total trade deficit is provisionally estimated to have increased by about 160 per cent. over the same period. It is not possible to calculate a corresponding percentage increase for non-oil trade since the balance of this trade with the rest of the world is estimated to have moved from a deficit of £336 million in 1973 to a surplus of around £120 million in 1974.

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