§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the percentage change in import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures less food, drink and tobacco since 1971; and to what extent it is due to (i) the reduction in the tariff, (ii) the removal of tariff protection against EC countries and (iii) the monetary and exchange rate policies of successive United Kingdom Governments; [29979]
(2) if he will publish for each year since 1970 his estimate of import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures less food, drink, tobacco, printing and publishing. [29980]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe import penetration levels requested can be calculated only at disproportionate cost. My Department has made no assessment of the specific factors listed. However, the rising share of imports in the United Kingdom market for manufactures reflects a number of influences, including the increasing specialisation of world trade.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to reduce the share of imports in the United Kingdom market for manufactures; and over what time scale. [29949]
§ Mr. TaylorThe best way United Kingdom businesses can increase market share at home is by continually improving their competitiveness. The competitiveness White Paper,. "Forging Ahead" identifies areas where the Government have helped, for example, by stimulating enterprise and innovation and by encouraging best practice in quality, design and management. Discrimination against imports jeopardises the UK's export successes.