§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has to show that the increase in non-oil imports in 1994 compared to 1993 mentioned in paragraph 3.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", is due to import substitution rather than a falling off in United Kingdom demand for goods of the same description; and if he will publish the forecast change in import penetration in each of the principle import-competing and export industries in 1994 compared with 1993 and 1992.
§ Mr. NelsonImport price competitiveness for manufactured goods, which accounts for around 80 per cent. of trade in non-oil goods, is estimated to be more than 6.5 per cent. better than in the first three quarters of 1992. Historical experience suggests that improvements in price competitiveness lead, over a period of time, to lower import penetration than would otherwise have occurred. The Treasury does not publish forecasts of import penetration for individual industries.