§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate he has made of the balance of trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community and the rest of the world, respectively, in 1981 to date.
§ Mr. SproatThe available information is as follows:
Balance of United Kingdom trade in manufactures with the European Community and Rest of World £ million, OTS basis 1981 European Community Rest of World January -18 +482 February -144 +426 September -357 +254 October *-164 *+697 Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.
Note: Figures for March to August are not yet available due to the Civil Service pay dispute and no estimates have been made.
* The October export figures are inflated as a result of a change in the system of documenting exports. Latest estimates suggest that total United Kingdom exports to the World should be reduced by about £500 million (10 per cent.) but it is not possible to allocate this figure by product or by area.