HC Deb 03 April 1990 vol 170 cc523-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year from 1970 to 1989 on a balance of payments basis the balance of trade with the European Economic Community Twelve and with other countries on (a) manufactures and (b) invisible trade; and if he will add figures for manufactures less erratic items.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Estimates on a balance of payments basis for trade in manufactures with the European Community and with non-European Community countries are shown in the table:

United Kingdom Trade Balances with EEC and Non-EEC Countries in Manufactured Goods (SITC 5-8) from 1970–1989
BOP basis £ million
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Year EEC Non-EEC
1970 644 1,899
1971 431 2,578
1972 60 2,086
1973 -360 1,845
1974 -478 2,441
1975 -587 4,326
1976 -490 5,401
1977 -503 6,376
1978 -1,735 6,789
1979 -2,570 5,280
1980 -1,174 6,600
1981 -2,651 7,146
1982 -4,458 6,550
1983 -7352 4,636
1984 -8,313 3,895
1985 -8,999 5,376
1986 -10,392 4,340
1987 -10,670 2,842
1988 -12,538 -2,338
1989 -13,583 -2,552

Information for invisible trade is available for 1973 to 1988 on the Central Statistical Office database, which may be accessed through the Library. The information for 1978 to 1988 is also in table 10.1 of 1989 edition of the "The CSO Pink Book", which is available in the Library of the House.

Comparable data for manufactures less erratic items on a balance of payments basis are not available.

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