§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the deficit in balance of trade with Germany between 1993 and the first quarter of 1996; what assessment he has made of the reasons; and what was the change in United Kingdom manufacturing output and jobs as a result. [34480]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe change in the deficit on trade in goods with Germany from the first quarter of 1996, compared to an average per quarter in 1993 was £0.7 billion. This is not surprising as, since 1993, the UK economy has grown faster than the German economy, and import prices have risen more than export prices. There is no simple relationship between manufacturing output and employment and the balance of trade with Germany.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on output and the number of jobs lost in United Kingdom manufacturing of the deficit in trade in manufactures. [34479]
§ Mrs. KnightThere is no simple relationship between manufacturing output and employment and the balance of trade in manufactures.