§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide, for publication in the Official Report, the United Kingdom's overall regional trade balances during the latest three years for which figures are available with (a) North and South America; (b) Africa; (c) Australasia and the Pacific, (d) Asia; and (e) the European Communities.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)
Crude1 visible trade balances of the United Kingdom by region for 1993–95 £ million 1993 1994 1995 North and South America -1,274 -541 -2,758 Africa 1,037 962 1,250 Australasia and Pacific 347 616 708 Asia -6,604 -5,662 -5,873 EC152 -6,208 -6,402 -3,756 Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom. 1 The crude balance of trade is defined as exports (free on board) less imports (cost including insurance and freight). For some countries this is likely significantly to understate the balances on a Balance of Payments basis, which is the preferred measure of trade balances. 2 Refers to the current 15 EC members throughout.