HC Deb 24 March 1986 vol 94 c328W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a table based on (a) the figures for the fourth quarter of 1976 and (b) the average for the years 1973 to 1976 inclusive, showing the change in the real exchange rate, measured in terms of export prices, for the latest available period against Germany, the United States of America and Japan; and if he will also include the change in the nominal exchange rate to date compared with the average for the period in question, together with the rates of inflation over the past 12 months.

Mr. Alan Clark

The information is in the table.

Federal Republic of Germany United States of America Japan
Relative export prices*
Percentage change Q3 1985 compared with:
Q4 1976 +50 +28
Average 1973–76 +42 -8½ +26
Nominal exchange rate†
Percentage change Q3 1985 compared with:
Q4 1976 -l½ -16 -32
Average 1973–76 -31 -37 -48
Consumer price index
Percentage change Q3 1985 compared with Q3 1984 +2¼ +3¼ +2
* The United Kingdom Export Unit Value index for manufactures compared with that of each other country named, in common currency terms.
† National currencies per pound (sterling).