Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on United Kingdom trade with Romania.
§ Mr. RedwoodHer Majesty's Government of course warmly endorse the political changes which have recently taken place in Romania. We hope and expect that these changes will lead to a strengthening of our relations, particularly in trade. Between 1982 and 1989 (up to and including October) our exports to Romania declined from £115 million to £30 million. Significant improvements to this figure will depend, inter alia, on the availability of hard currency, but we note and welcome Romania's intention to aim for a better-balanced trade with the United Kingdom. We share that intention and will do our best to help. We are also investigating ways of facilitating United Kingdom investment in the economies of eastern Europe, including Romania.
Immediate Romanian requirements include food, fertilisers, pesticides, animal foodstuffs, seeds, agricultural equipment and some consumer goods. There is also likely to be a demand for photocopiers, typewriters, TV studio equipment and film material. My Department is in touch with potential British suppliers. In the longer term we would hope for improvement in the aviation sector where the Romanians are building civil aircraft under licence from British firms.