HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 cc20-1W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what percentage of the original six European Economic Community members' market for manufactures was provided by the United Kingdom in 1984; and what was the comparable percentage in 1972;

(2) what percentage of the current European Economic Community members' market for manufactures was provided by the United Kingdom in 1984; and what was the comparable percentage in 1972.

Mr. Channon

Information in respect of 1984 is not yet available. The most recent information, which relates to 1983, is as follows:

United Kingdom share of other European Community members' imports of manufactures*
Original six members per cent. Current membership per cent.
1972 6.1 7.4
1983 7.0 7.8
*Standard International Trade Classification sections 5 to 8.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State of Trade and Industry if he will publish a table showing, in respect of each year from 1970 to 1984, the total amount of the United Kingdom's manufactured exports to and imports from the current European Economic Community nations; and if he will publish a further table showing the annual deficits or surpluses in manufacturing trade which these figures produce.

Mr. Channon

The information is in the table.

United Kingdom Trade in Manufactures* with European Community
£ million balance of payments basis
Exports Imports Visible balance
1970 1962 1,430 +532
1971 2,059 1,728 +331
1972 2,282 2,331 -50
1973 3,015 3,481 -466
1974 4,330 4,965 -635
1975 4,699 5,408 -709
1976 6,773 7,441 -668
1977 8,672 9,425 -753
1978 9,704 11,510 -1,806
1979 12,030 14,585 -2,555
1980 13,285 14,508 -1,223
1981 12,517 15,165 -2,647
1982 13,720 18,158 -4,438
1983 15,039 22,220 -7,181
1984 17,909 25,650 -7,740
* Standard International Trade Classification sections 5 to 8.
Present membership throughout.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study he has made of the consequences for employment in the United Kingdom of the £10 billion deficit in the nation's manufacturing trade with the Common Market.

Mr. Butcher

Developments in trade performance are kept under continual review. The deficit in our balance of trade in manufactured goods with the European Community reflects many inter-related factors, including the pattern of our trade in other goods and with other areas. It is not possible to assess what consequences it may have had for employment.