§ Mr. Gouldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what statistical evidence the Prime Minister based his assertion during the debate on the Address, on 1st November, that the United Kingdom's share of world trade in manufactures had increased during 1978.
§ Mr. Healey,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th November 1978], gave the following reply:
The United Kingdom share of world trade in manufactures is conventionally measured in terms of the value of main manufacturing countries' exports of manufactured goods. This information is published regularly in table C1 of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, the latest edition of which gives 262W figures up to the end of 1977. More recent information is not yet firm enough to publish but, subject to the usual qualifications, the information which is available sustains the view expressed by my right hon. Friend.