HC Deb 14 March 1990 vol 169 c303W
86. Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the electronics industry on the subject of skills shortages.

Mr. Forth

There have been no direct representations from the electronics industry on skills shortages during the past two months, but there have in the past been approaches with regard to IT skills shortages. My Department supports a number of programmes aimed at increasing skills in the sector.

100. Mr. Allan Roberts

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the latest annual estimate of the balance of trade in electronic components.

Mr. Forth

Estimates based on figures published by the Central Statistical Office suggest that the United Kingdom had a crude trade deficit' in electronic components2 of Eli billion in 1989.

Notes:

1 Imports (cif) less Exports (fob).

2 Principal Products of Activity Headings 3444 and 3453 of the Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).