§ 31. Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Britain last had a surplus on its manufacturing trade; and what forecast he has made of the manufacturing trade balance for the future.
§ Mr. RedwoodBritain last had a surplus on its manufacturing trade in 1982. Since 1982 the value of United Kingdom exports of manufactures has increased by 131 per cent. My Department does not make forecasts of the trade balance.