§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister for Trade whether the United Kingdom was a net manufacturing importer on the basis used in compiling the Overseas Trade Statistics in the years 1981 and 1982.
§ Mr. SproatOn anOverseas Trade Statistics basis the United Kingdom was not a net manufacturing importer either in 1981, when there was a surplus on this trade, or in the first nine months of 1982 when there was an approximate balance.
On a balance of payments basis, however, which provides a more valid comparison, the United Kingdom was in substantial surplus in 1981 and in the first nine months of 1982.