HC Deb 22 November 1978 vol 958 c600W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the extent of the United Kingdom's deficit on balance of trade in manufactured goods with EEC countries so far in the current year; what is his estimate of this figure for the whole year; and how this compares with each of the last three years.

Mr. Meacher

Following is the information to date on the current basis of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom:

… Crude Deficit imports valued cif minus exports valued fob) £ million)
1975 … 543
1976 … 463
1977 … 626
January-October 1978 … 1,337
Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (Rev 2) Sections 5–8 inclusive.

The crude deficit for 12 months at the rates applying in the period January-October 1978 would be £1,605 million.