HC Deb 18 January 1994 vol 235 cc570-1W
Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by value the major 25 imported building materials in the latest year stating the import as a percentage of the United Kingdom market; and what were the comparable figures by value and import penetration five years ago.

Mr. Baldry

The table gives the estimated value of building materials imported during 1992, the latest year for which comprehensive information is available, together with the equivalent figures for 1988. Reliable information on import penetration will not be available until the information on United Kingdom production has been harmonised with overseas trade using the new PRODCOM classification; the first results of which are expected to be available this autumn.

£ millions
1992 1988
Sawn and Laminated Wood 1,050 1,452
Builders Ironmongery 321 264
Plastic Sheets and Profiles 209 179
Structural Steel Components 158 131
Electric Wires 144 100
Air Conditioning Units 122 102
Metal Sheets etc. 116 111
Glazed Ceramic Tiles 116 107
Lamps and Fittings 114 82
Central Heating Boilers 88 51
Wooden Doors 82 85
Paints and Varnish 72 62
Steel Tubes and Pipes 66 47
Hardboard and Fibreboard 64 57
Mastics, putty etc. 62 36
Nails, Screws etc. 56 52
Building Stone 49 50
Concrete Reinforcing Bars 49 62
Radiators 47 57
Ordinary Portland Cement 46 33
Structural Aluminium Components 45 67
Plastic Floor Coverings 43 41
Plastic Doors, Windows, Shutters and Fittings 41 35
Mineral Insulating Materials 35 37
Wood Veneers 32 46