§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the balance of trade deficit, at seasonally adjusted values, with the Common Market for the 12 months to the end of March 1977;
(2) whether the balance of trade deficit, at seasonally adjusted values, with the Common Market for the first quarter of 1977 is an improvement over the same period of 1976; and if he will give the figures.
§ Mr. MeacherFigures on a balance of payments basis for the first quarter of 1977 are not yet available. The following are the crude trade balances—i.e., exports f.o.b. less imports c.i.f.—with the rest of the EEC:
£ million, overseas trade statistics basis, seasonally adjusted 1976 1st quarter 478 1977 1st quarter 580 1976 2nd quarter—1977 1st quarter 2,324