Trade Statistics (Hansard, 15 October 1990)

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase between 1985 and May 1990 in United Kingdom production of intermediate goods for use in the United Kingdom; what was the corresponding increase in the volume of imports; and what is the implied increase in the import content of goods manufactured in the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Information on the volume of imports of intermediate goods is published in the "Monthly Review of Overseas Trade Statistics" tables C9 and C14. Other information requested is not readily available.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a list of finished capital goods whose exports have more than doubled since 1985, together with the percentage increase in imports and in United Kingdom output.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
On the basis of trade analysed in terms of the industries of which they are the principal product there are no capital goods industries whose exports have more than doubled in value since 1985.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the reasons why exports of intermediate goods have increased by less than 30 per cent. in volume since 1985; and if he will publish a list of the products for which there was no increase.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
It is not the policy of this Government to set targets for exports, which result from action by individual companies. In August the seasonally adjusted volume of exports of intermediate goods was 37 per cent. above the monthly average in 1985.
Estimates are not available of the volume of trade in individual products classified as intermediate goods. Trade 679W in goods analysed in terms of the industries of which they are the principal products gives a rough indication of intermediate products where the volume of exports has not increased since 1985. The industries are:

AH 3410 Insulated wires and cables

AH 3434 Electrical equipment for motor vehicles

AH 3470 Electric lamps and lighting equipment

AH 3740 Watches, clocks and other timing devices

§ Mr. Spearing
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials in his Department are employed in collecting and collating information and statistics concerning trade between the United Kingdom, other members of the European Economic Community and third countries, respectively; and if he envisages any change in their duties and the nature of published information from 1991 until the end of the decade.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
There are some 950 officials directly engaged on overseas trade matters, and the provision of advice and information about export opportunities, in the Department's overseas trade divisions and regional offices. Approximately 17 officials in the economics, market intelligence and statistics division work with published trade statistics. At present no significant changes in their duties are envisaged.
The collecting and collation of trade statistics is the responsibility of the Central Statistical Office and HM Customs and Excise.