HC Deb 19 November 1982 vol 32 cc308-9W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Minister for Trade if he will set out the proportion of United Kingdom imports covered by exports in volume terms for manufactured goods, for each of the last eight years from Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the European Economic Community as a whole, the United States of America, Japan, the rest of the world, excluding the European Economic Community, and Brazil, ending on 30 September in each case.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 18 November 1982, c. 221]: Volume figures for trade in manufactures are not available for individual countries or areas; data for years ending 30 September could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The available information based on current price trade data is as follows:

Export/Import* of Ratios of United Kingdom Trade in Manufactures
F.R. Germany France Italy Sweden USA Japan Brazil EEC Rest of World (excl. EEC)
per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent.
1974 47 88 79 90 89 49 513 85 135
1975 57 86 70 104 87 40 593 88 158
1976 58 92 77 96 92 38 375 91 155
1977 58 85 68 94 90 37 420 91 154
1978 54 78 57 78 94 35 307 83 146
1979 52 76 59 74 85 33 243 80 130
1980 61 85 80 87 69 29 218 88 133
1981 60 81 73 78 76 23 179 81 136
Jan-Sept '82 51 83 65 76 72 20 108 74 126

* Exports and imports valued at current prices on Overseas Trade Statistics basis.

Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8.

Source:

Overseas Trade Statistics.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what percentage of United Kingdom manufactured exports goes to less developed countries; and what has been the trend in this figure in recent years;

(2) what is the United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactured goods with less developed countries; and what is the balance of payments with such countries.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 18 November 1982, c. 221]: The available information is as follows:

I. Manufactured goods: exports to developing countries as a percentage of total exports
per cent.
1978 28.2
1979 24.4
1980 25.6
1982 (January to September 29.4
II. Crude balance of trade in manufactured goods with developing countries
£ million
1982 (January to September) +5,547

Source:

United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC/R2 Sections 5–8 inclusive.

Notes:

(a) Balance of payments information is in general not available in respect of individual countries or groups of countries.

(b) Developing countries are as defined in the groupings Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, and Other Developing Countries in the Overseas Trade Statistics.

(c) Owing to last year's Civil Service pay dispute, information is not yet available for 1981.