HC Deb 02 May 1986 vol 96 cc520-1W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Belgium and Holland (a) the balance of trade in manufactures in 1985 and (b) the balance of trade in manufactures in the most recent year in which the United States' trade deficit was close to zero.

Mr. Alan Clark

The information is in the table.

Crude Balance* of Trade in Manufactures†
US $ billion
1973 1985
United Kingdom +3.4 -7.5
Federal Republic of Germany +28.7 +67.5
Japan +23.2 +134.3
France +2.3 +6.1
Italy +4.9 +23.5
Belgium/Luxembourg +3.3 +4.9
Netherlands -1.1 -3.4
* Figures on an overseas trade statistics basis
† Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8

Sources:

OECD Series 'C'

Eurostate Monthly External Trade Bulletin

UK Overseas Trade Statistics

The Summary Report: Trade of Japan.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the first three months of 1986 at an annual rate compared with the same three months in 1985 and the year 1970 (a) imports and exports of manufactures between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community and other countries, and (b) imports and exports less crude oil between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community and from other countries; and if he will make a statement about the decline in exports of manufactures in the first quarter of the current year compared with 1985 and the reasons therefor.

Mr. Alan Clark

[pursuant to his reply, 1 may 1986, c. 454]: The information is in the table. Annualised figures can be unreliable as a guide to the outturn for the year. In the first quarter of this year United Kingdom exports of manufactures were higher than the quarterly average for any year except 1985.

United Kingdom Trade
£ Billion OTS basis
Manufactures* Total trade less crude oil†
European Community‡ Rest of World European Community‡ Rest of World
Exports Imports Exports Imports Exports Imports Exports Imports
1970 2.2 1.6 4.6 3.0 2.6 2.6 5.4 5.7
1985║ 21.4 31.3 30.3 29.3 28.7 42.8 36.2 44.5
1986║ 21.2 33.2 27.9 25.6 28.1 41.7 32.9 37.5
* Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8
† Standard International Trade Classification heading 333
‡ Present Membership throughout
║ First three months at an annual rate

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics