Manufacturing Trade Balance

HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 c668W

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the change in the manufacturing trade balance since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

Trade in manufactures on a balance of payments basis was in surplus by £2.8 billion in 1979 and in deficit by £6.5 billion in 1987.