South Africa (Hansard, 2 July 1985)

§ Sir Anthony Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current value of United Kingdom investments in South Africa; and if he will compare this with the equivalent figures in real terms in 1979.

§ Mr. Fletcher
Information is available only in respect of the book value of United Kingdom direct investment in South Africa at end 1981, which was £2,826 million.

§ Sir Anthony Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value in real terms and in volume terms of United Kingdom exports to and imports from South Africa in each of the last 10 years; and what were the principal categories in each case.

§ Mr. Fletcher
Volume data for individual countries are not available. Information relating to value is as follows: 91W

Table 1:

Value £ million

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

United Kingdom exports (fob) 670 632 565 659 716 998 1,220 1,191 1,111 1,205

United Kingdom imports (cif) 633 714 1,015 911 649 756 649 746 765 726

Table 2:

Position in Order of Four Principal Commodities Exported to South Africa in Period

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

Road vehicles 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Machinery specialized for particular industries 3 4 3 2 2 2 2 4

General industrial machinery and equipment 2 2 2 3 3 4 3 3

Power generating machinery — 3 — 4 4 3 — —

Office machines and data processing equipment — — — — — — 4 2

Miscellaneous electrical machinery and appliances 4 — 4 — — — — —

Table 3:

Position in Order of Four Principal Commodities Imported from South Africa in Period

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Fruit and vegetables 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2

Miscellaneous non-metallic mineral manufactures 1 1 — 3 — — 4 —

Non-ferrous metals 4 4 3 4 — 3 3 —

Textile fibres — — — — 3 — — 3

Pulp and waste paper — — — — 4 4 — 4

Iron and steel — — 4 — — — — —

Source: Data corresponding to Tables II (imports) and V (exports) in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics.
Notes: (i) 1984 figures are provisional.
(ii) all figures are on the current Standard International Trade Classification (Revision 2) basis.

Table 1:
Value £ million
	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
United Kingdom exports (fob)	670	632	565	659	716	998	1,220	1,191	1,111	1,205
United Kingdom imports (cif)	633	714	1,015	911	649	756	649	746	765	726

Table 2:
Position in Order of Four Principal Commodities Exported to South Africa in Period
	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Road vehicles	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Machinery specialized for particular industries	3	4	3	2	2	2	2	4
General industrial machinery and equipment	2	2	2	3	3	4	3	3
Power generating machinery	—	3	—	4	4	3	—	—
Office machines and data processing equipment	—	—	—	—	—	—	4	2
Miscellaneous electrical machinery and appliances	4	—	4	—	—	—	—	—

Table 3:
Position in Order of Four Principal Commodities Imported from South Africa in Period
	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984
Metalliferous ores and metal scrap	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1
Fruit and vegetables	3	3	2	2	2	2	2	2
Miscellaneous non-metallic mineral manufactures	1	1	—	3	—	—	4	—
Non-ferrous metals	4	4	3	4	—	3	3	—
Textile fibres	—	—	—	—	3	—	—	3
Pulp and waste paper	—	—	—	—	4	4	—	4
Iron and steel	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—