§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what percentage of imports to the United Kingdom came from Commonwealth countries in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1976;
(2) what percentage of imports to the United Kingdom came from the present member countries of the EEC in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1976.
§ Mr. MeacherThe figures are:
UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS BY AREA AS PROPORTIONS OF TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS Overseas trade statistics basis Percentages Balance of payments basis Common-wealth E.E.C. E.E.C. 1960 … … 30½ 20½ n.a. 1965 … … 28½ 23½ 24½ 1970 … … 23 27 28½ 1975 … … 13½ 36½ 38 1976 … … 13½ 36½ 38½ Notes:
(1) The Commonwealth and the E.E.C. have been defined as at present constituted.
(2) As figures on a balance of payments basis are not available for the Commonwealth figures for E.E.C. are given on an overseas trade statistics (O.T.S.) basis as well as on the conceptually better balance of payments basis. Imports on the O.T.S. basis are valued c.i.f., that is, inclusive of the cost of insurance and freight from the exporting country. Balance of payments basis figures exclude these charges, as well as differing from the O.T.S. figures in a number of other aspects of valuation and coverage.