§ Mr. Gouldasked the Prime Minister what has been the increase in imports of manufactures since 1954 as a percentage of manufacturing output in the United Kingdom in total and by industrial subdivisions.
§ The Prime MinisterFigures for import penetration on the present definition of manufacturing industry (divisions 2–4, 1980 Standard Industrial Classification) are available only from 1975. These show that import penetration expressed as a percentage of home demand has risen from 21 per cent. in 1975 to 31 per cent. in the 12 months ended the third quarter of 1983. Between the same periods, exports expressed as a percentage of manufacturers' sales have increased from 22 to 27 per cent. A full analysis by activity heading of the figures for the latest nine quarters available is published in theBusiness Monitor MQ12, "Import Penetration and Export Sales Ratios for Manufacturing Industry", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.