§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for Trade what was the positive or negative balance of trade in manufactures with the Commonwealth in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures for the preceding 12 calendar years for which figures are available; and if he will publish further tables for these periods showing the total value of manufacturing exports and imports from the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe information is as follows:
United Kingdom Trade in Manufactures*with the Commonwealth† £millionOverseas Trade Statistics basis Exports Imports Crude Balance 1969 1,312 682 +630 1970 1,398 784 +614 1971 1,683 744 +940 1972 1,588 775 +313 1973 1,830 1,047 +783 1974 2,414 1,295 +1,119 1975 2,904 1,248 +1,656 1976 3,428 1,620 +1,809 1977 4,200 1,724 +2,476 1978 4,745 1,802 +2,943 1979 4,531 2,141 +2,390 1980 5,352 2,226 +3,127 October 1981 to September 1982 6,148 2,560 +3,588 Note:
*Standard International Trade Classification, Sections 5 to 8
†Excluding Bangladesh from 1969 to 1972.
Source:Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for Trade what percentage of the United Kingdom's manufacturing exports went to the European Economic Community, the Commonwealth and the rest of the world, respectively, in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Peter ReesFor the ]2 months October 1981 to September 1982, the information is as follows:
465W
per cent. Other EC countries 37 Commonwealth 16½ Rest of World 46½ Source:Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK.
§ Mr. McMahonasked the Minister for Trade what tariffs on imports of manufactures, other than textiles and clothing, give the greatest protection to British industry against non-European Economic Community competition in terms both of the height of the tariff and the amount of trade involved; and if he will list the six most important items together with items from non-European Economic Community sources.
§ Mr. Peter ReesInformation in this form and detail is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.