§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade by how much in real terms imports have risen in the past six months; and by how much in real terms exports have risen in the same period.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIn the six months to September exports and imports were both 14 per cent. by volume, above the level, of the previous six months. Because of the effect on the monthly statistics of the impact of and recovery from the road haulage dispute these figures, particularly for exports, overstate the underlying growth.