HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc304-5W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many square metres of carpet were imported in each year since 1979; and from which countries these imports originated. [30360]

Mr. Oppenheim

Total UK imports of carpets are given in the table. A breakdown by country of origin or dispatch can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, since the introduction of the single market at the start of 1993, comprehensive information on the country of origin for imports is not available. Due to a revision in the system of classification, figures prior to 1988 are not strictly comparable with more recent ones.

UK Imports of carpets
Year Million sq. m.
1979 30.7
1980 40.5
1981 50.2
1982 55.5
1983 66.2
1984 76.4
1985 86.2
1986 92.1
1987 101.4
1988 114.3
1989 125.7
1990 131.5
1991 121.6
1992 132.4
1993 94.3
1994 106.9
1995 108.3
Carpets are classified to Group 659, "Floor coverings, etc" of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revisions 2 and 3).

Mr. Prentice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the output of the British carpet industry in each year since 1979; and what percentage was exported. [30362]

Mr. Oppenheim

The information is given in the table.

Output and exports of the British carpet industry
Year Gross output £ million Exports £ million Exports as a percentage of gross output
1979 736 162 22.0
1980 659 145 22.0
1981 636 121 19.0
1982 629 121 19.2
1983 719 132 18.4
1984 782 152 19.4
1985 856 176 20.6
1986 943 178 18.9
1987 1,043 191 18.3
1988 1,226 189 15.4
1989 1,256 206 16.4
1990 1,266 221 17.5
1991 1,156 206 17.8
1992 1,103 211 19.1
1993 1,087 217 19.9
1994 n/a 247 n/a
1995 n/a 259 n/a

Source

Office for National Statistics Annual Census of Production and Business Monitors MQ10.