HC Deb 05 May 1981 vol 4 c17W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the trade deficit in manufactures with Japan in 1980 shown on the same basis as the deficits with Germany, France and Italy given in his reply of 28 April; and if he will indicate the sensitive industrial sectors of United Kingdom industry affected by these deficits, respectively.

Mr. Biffen

The United Kingdom's crude trade deficit in manufactures with Japan in 1980 was £1,187 million, of which a large part derived from road vehicles, consumer electrical goods, and iron and steel; this reflects the high level of our imports from Japan relative to our exports to them. Our trade performance in manufactures with the Federal Republic of Germany, France and Italy is generally less unbalanced, with export-import ratios for manufacturers in 1980 of 61 per cent., 85 per cent., and 80 per cent., respectively, compared with 29 per cent for Japan.