HC Deb 18 July 1990 vol 176 c645W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of United Kingdom exports of computers consists of re-exports.

Mr. Forth

The information requested is not readily available.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the United Kingdom content of United Kingdom exports of computers in 1973, 1979, 1985 and the latest year for which an estimate is feasible.

Mr. Forth

Information on which to base a reliable estimate is not available.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has completed his review of the computer industry; and whether he intends to publish his findings.

Mr. Forth

A voluntary exercise has been undertaken to collect figures for the "balance of trade" in electronic and IT goods of some of the larger IT companies in the United Kingdom. The results will be published soon.