§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister for Trade, further to his reply dated 23 April, Official Report, c. 164, showing the change in the unit value and volume of exports of finished manufactures in the year ended January 1982, whether he has any evidence (a) that profit margins on these exports were substantially increased over the period and (b) that the United Kingdom's competitive position on price did not significantly deteriorate; and if he will account for the 23 per cent. reduction in the relative volume of imports and exports over this period.
§ Mr. Peter Rees(a) There is no evidence to suggest that profit margins increased substantially over the relevant period. (b) Information on the United Kingdom's competitive position on price during 1981 is not yet available. The 23 per cent. reduction in the relative volume of imports and exports is principally due to the increase in import volume throughout finished manufactures as stocks were replenished.