§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the state of trade and the future prospects of trade with the Republic of Zimbabwe.
§ Mr. ChannonIn the period January to September 1983 British exports fob to Zimbabwe amounted to £45.8 million and imports from Zimbabwe cif amounted to £43.2 million. The figures for the full year of 1982 were £95 million and £63 million respectively.
The decrease in the volume of trade this year is a result of the "knock-on" effect of world recession and of Zimbabwe's short-term financial difficulties. I hope that this reduced level of trade will be only temporary.