§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been, by volume and value, the amount of petroleum, chemical and associated equipment exported to Mexico over the past decade; and whether any agreement has recently been reached between the British and Mexican Governments to increase trade between the two nations.
§ Mr. MeacherNo agreement has been concluded between our two countries since a memorandum of understanding on 217W economic and industrial co-operation signed with the Mexican Government in April 1976. This, together with the joint commission which it created, has provided a useful framework for the development of commercial relations between our countries. I might also mention with satisfaction Mexico's recent application to join the GATT.
The value and volume of identifiable United Kingdom exports of petroleum, chemical, and related equipment to Mexico during the last 10 years have been as follows:
Value (£thousand f.o.b.) Volume (tonnes) 1969 195 * 1970 116 * 1971 67 * 1972 184 * 1973 110 * 1974 192 117 1975 4,173 2,930 1976 2,779 1,195 1977 2,233 1,108 1978 3,357 1,033 Source: UK Overseas Trade Statistics, mainly SITC (Rev. 1) Items 719. 13, 14, and 19 and 729. 92 (part), and SITC (Rev. 2) Sub groups/Items 741. 1, 2, 31, 32, and 6.
* Details of trade are not available on a consistent basis of volume before 1974.