HC Deb 09 May 1994 vol 243 c20W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the balance of trade in manufacturing goods in May 1979; and what it is currently.

Mr. Needham

Information on the balance of trade in manufacturing is no longer readily available on a monthly basis for 1979. In the second quarter of 1979, the United Kingdom had a trade surplus in manufactures worth £1.1 billion. In the last three months to January 1994, the United Kingdom had a deficit of £2.5 billion.