§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the EC's total deficit in trade with the rest of the world in 1992; and by what percentage this figure has increased or decreased over the previous five and 10 years.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe latest annual data are for 1991. For 1991, the EC had a trade deficit of £49.4 billion with exports of £296.9 million and imports of £346.3 million. This compares with a surplus of £4.9 billion in 1986 and a deficit of £29.3 billion in 1981. As the trade balance moves between deficit and surplus it is inappropriate to show percentage changes.