HC Deb 19 April 1989 vol 151 cc178-9W
24. Mr. Orme

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects Britain to have a trade surplus in information technology.

26. Mr. John

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects Britain to have a trade surplus in information technology.

Mr. Newton

It is not possible to make a prediction of the kind that the hon. Member seeks. What is important is that this Government's economic policies have led to record levels of productivity, output and investment and have helped to attract companies such as Fujitsu which will provide a major boost to our balance of trade in imformation technology, through both exports and import substitution.

37. Mr. Faulds

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on his response to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry's report into information technology.

62. Mr. Patchett

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on his response to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry's report into information technology.

Mr. Newton

We have received no formal representations on this response.

39. Mr. Boyes

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement of the Government's policy for information technology.

Mr. Newton

The Government's response to the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on information technology published on 9 March as Cm 646 contains a comprehensive statement of the Government's policy towards information technology.

65. Mr. Win

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of trade in information technology in 1979 and 1988.

Mr. Newton

For the information technology and electronics manufacturing sector the United Kingdom had an adverse balance of trade in 1979 of £444 million. In 1987, the latest full year for which figures are available, the adverse balance for this sector was £2,226 million.

80. Mr. Cox

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of trade in information technology in 1979 and 1988.

Mr. Newton

For the information technology and electronics manufacturing sector the United Kingdom had an adverse balance of trade in 1979 of £444 million. In 1987, the latest full year for which figures are available, the adverse balance for this sector was £2,226 million.