§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 19 October (H.L. Deb., col. 943) that "our trade with the European Union constitutes slightly less than half our overall trade but, as your Lordships know, it still comprises the great bulk", whether United Kingdom trade with the European Union constitutes less than half the overall trade or the great bulk of the overall trade. [HL4313]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleIn 1998, the European Union (EU) accounted for 58 per cent of UK exports of goods to the world, and 52 per cent of goods and services. It is, therefore, correct, if inelegant, to say that it "comprises the great bulk".