HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1262-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the real rate of exchange relative to those of other EEC countries between the fourth quarter of 1992 and the first quarter of 1994; and what assessment he has made of its effects on(a) the balance of visible trade with EEC and (b) output, employment and investment in the import-competing and export industries. [35200]

Mrs. Angela Knight

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him on 7 March,Official Report, column 102, and on 3 April, Official Report, column 909, and on 10 May, Official Report, column 543.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the fall in the nominal rate against the deutschmark; and if he will indicate United Kingdom export prices for manufactures at current rates of exchange relative to those of the EEC Six and Sweden since the United Kingdom's entry into the exchange rate mechanism. [35212]

Mrs. Knight

Data for sterling's exchange rate against other EC members are published by the Central Statistical Office in "Financial Statistics", while export price figures for the main manufacturing countries are published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics". These figures are also available on the central database of the Central Statistical Office, which can be accessed through the Library of the House.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect of a rise of 5 pfennigs against the pound on the rate of inflation in United Kingdom manufacturing. [36291]

Mrs. Knight

Inflation in United Kingdom manufacturing depends on a number of factors, including sterling's exchange rate against the deutschmark. It is difficult to isolate the effects of one single factor.