§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the surplus or deficit in manufacturing trade with the European Economic Community in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous 20 annual periods in respect of the nations now compromising the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe available information is in the following table:
United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactures1 with other European Community2 countries Balance of Payments basis £million 1966 3392 1967 3266 1968 3306 1969 3545 1970 643 1971 426 1972 55 1973 -368 1974 -507 1975 -588 1976 -476 1977 -488 1978 -1,727 1979 -2,580 1980 -1,168 1981 -2,613 1982 -4,335 1983 -7,174 1984 -8,082 1985 -8,683 1986 -10,058 1 Standard International Trade Classification, Section 5 to 8. 2 Present membership throughout. 3 Overseas Trade Statistics Basis — imports valued inclusive of insurance and freight — the corresponding figure for 1970 is £560 million. Sources: Department of Trade and Industry Overseas Trade Statistics