§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on trade levels to EU countries since UK membership in 1973; and what effect this has had on UK trade to non-EU countries. [132937]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UK's trade with the EU1 has grown steadily since UK membership in 1973. The value of the UK's total goods trade (exports and imports) with other EU countries has increased 20-fold since 1973 compared to a 12-fold increase in total goods trade with non-EU countries. Consequently, the EU's share of the UK's total trade in goods rose from 45 per cent. In 1973 to 57 per cent. In 2002.
Data for trade in services with all other current members of the EU before 1992 is not readily available, therefore it is not easy to calculate the exact increase in UK trade for goods and services since 1973. The UK's exports of goods and services to the EU are now worth £142 billion and imports from the EU are worth £166 billion, making the value of the UK's trade with the EU £308 billion. The EU accounts for 53 per cent. Of the UK's total trade, but for trade in services the proportion is 43 per cent.
The UK's membership and increasing economic integration with the EU, in particular following the Single Market Programme, has generated considerable opportunities for UK businesses. This has been behind the substantial growth in UK trade with the EU. But, as the 12-fold rise in UK trade in goods with non-EU members demonstrates, this has not been at the expense of overall trade with non-EU members, which has continued to grow rapidly.
1All figures refer to the UK's trade with the other current 14 members of the EU.