§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the trade balance in computer peripheral equipment in each year since 1979; and what policy the Government are pursuing to improve the trading position in computer peripheral equipment.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerDetails of United Kingdom overseas trade in automatic data processing peripheral units (including control and adapting units) have been as follows:
234W
(£ thousand) Imports cif Exports fob Crude balance* 1979 461,197 325,441 -135,756 1980 476,275 393,939 -82,336 1981 518,803 363,570 -155,233 1982 704,706 433,489 -271,217 11983 1,001,515 522,089 -479,426 * Exports valued fob minus imports valued cif. † Provisional. Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R2) subgroup 752.5.
Note: The figures for exports and the balance of trade in 1981 include a large element of estimation, and should be interpreted with caution.
Government policy in a number of areas is aimed at improving the present trading position:
- (a) Overseas companies are encouraged to establish manufacturing facilities in this country.
- (b) Assistance given under Section 7 and 8 of the Industry Act stimulates investment in manufacturing plant and equipment.
- (c) The Government's public procurement policy is aimed at encouraging public sector purchasers to use the influence of their purchases to assist the competitiveness of their suppliers.
- (d) The Support for Innovation Scheme is assisting the development and exploitation of new products in the United Kingdom.
- (e) The Alvey Programme of research into the man/machine interface should produce long term improvements in the capabilities of the United Kingdom peripherals industry.
The constructive use of these policies by my Department, public sector purchasers and industry should stimulate the efficiency of the United Kingdom peripherals industry and thereby lead to increased supply for both the home and export markets from the United Kingdom.