§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom market for(a) high research-intensity goods, (b) medium research-intensity goods and (c) low research-intensity goods was represented by imports in the last 12 months. [119593]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonIn 1996 (the most recent year for which data are available) imports equalled 74 per cent. of UK domestic sales of high technology goods. As well as finished goods, these imports include components and sub-assemblies, a significant proportion of which are incorporated in UK exports (UK exports of high technology goods were £38 billion in 1996, while imports were £36 billion).
In the medium-high technology sector imports equalled 51 per cent. of UK domestic sales while medium-low technology and low-technology imports both equalled 25 per cent. of domestic sales.