HC Deb 03 December 1987 vol 123 cc660-1W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the balance of payments surpluses and deficits for the seven leading industrialised countries in each of the years 1981 to 1986.

Mr. Butcher

The information is in the table. International comparisons are normally made in a common currency, but exchange rate fluctuations cause different trends to emerge depending on which currency is used. Data are therefore given both in United States dollars and in national currencies.

cigarettes into the United Kingdom by main supplying country; and what were the comparable figures in 1986 and 1985.

Mr. Butcher

The information is given in the table.

United Kingdom imports of cigarettes
£million
10 months to October
1985 1986 1987
Federal Republic of Germany 38.9 46.2 38.2
Netherlands 10.0 9.1 8.8
Belgium/Luxembourg 5.4 4.3 3.5
Irish Republic 5.7 1.5 3.9
United States of America 4.4 0.5 n/a
Other 2.5 1.7 2.5

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

Notes:

1. Cigarettes defined as Standard International Trade Classification item 122.2.

2. Provisional figures throughout.