Manufactures (European Community Imports and Exports)

HC Deb 18 February 1980 vol 979 cc45-6W

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the increase in the volume of exports and

in regard to allowable time period for these reports of the Companies Act.

Mr. Eyre

The information is as follows:

imports of manufactures from the European Economic Community Six, the rest of the world, and the United States of America, respectively, on the assumption that the volume can be correctly calculated by dividing the value figures in each case by the relevant unit value index for all manufactured exports and imports.

Mr. Parkinson

The use of aggregate price indices to compile volume figures of United Kingdom trade by area is neither correct nor valid, since the commodities traded and the prices and price movements of these commodities will vary for different parts of the world. It would be wrong to publish misleading information.