HC Deb 25 March 1987 vol 113 c194W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1957, 1967, 1973, 1979, 1985 and 1986 imports and exports of finished manufactures as a percentage of manufacturing output and of gross domestic product.

Mr. Alan Clark

Because trade in finished manufactures is not available on the same classification as output data, it is not possible to make a direct comparison; however, the following table should be of assistance:

1 Finished manufactures as percentage of total 2manufactures Trade as percentage of total sales of manufactured 3 products Contribution of manufacturing industry3 to GDP percentage
Imports Exports Imports Exports
1957 28.9 54.9 .. .. ..
1967 43.8 59.2 .. .. 31.5
1973 53.8 59.3 21.8 19.6 30.5
1979 57.2 58.9 27.5 25.1 27.6
1985 63.6 62.2 36.3 30.1 23.8
1986 63 9 62.1 435.5 429.4 ..
1 Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), sections 7 and 8.
2 SITC sections 5 to 8.
3 Standard Industrial Classification, divisions 2 to 4; this includes output of food manufacturing industry, whereas food manufactures are not covered in SITC sections 5 to 8.
4 1986 January to year ending June 1986.
.. Not readily available.

Sources: Department of Trade and Industry; Central Statistical Office.