HC Deb 18 March 1987 vol 112 cc524-5W
Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what factors he attributes the decline in Britain's share of manufactured exports since 1979 and the trend of Britain's export performance in comparison with other European manufacturing nations.

Mr. Alan Clark

Our share of world exports of manufactured goods reflects a variety of factors including both price and non-price competitiveness and the geographical and commodity composition of our exports. United Kingdom exports of manufactures were again at record levels last year and since 1981 the United Kingdom volume share of main manufacturing countries' exports of manufactures has been maintained, halting years of decline.