§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of imports into the UK were from Brazil in 2003–04. [184183]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIn 2003 Brazil accounted for 0.62 per cent. of the UK's total imports of goods. In the first five months of 2004, Brazil accounted for 0.63 per cent.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the UK policy is on the Brazilian production of generic AIDS drugs to prevent the spread of AIDS; and what assessment has been made of their use in Africa. [184187]
508W
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Company Insolvencies 12,610 13,203 14,280 14,317 14,972 16,305 14,184 Individual Insolvencies 24,441 24,549 28,806 29,528 29,775 30,587 36,328 Bankruptcies—Total 19,892 19,647 21,611 21,550 23,477 24,292 28,021 Of which: Self-employed 11,269 10,420 10,723 9,952 9,839 8,854 9,139 Individual Voluntary Arrangements 4,549 4,902 7,195 7,978 6,298 6,295 8,307 Total known business Insolvencies 23,579 23,623 25,003 24,269 24,811 25,159 23,323
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UK Government are committed to increasing access to medicines—through affordable pricing, sustainable financing, reliable health and supply systems and the rational selection and use of drugs—in the developing world. Our policy paper, "Increasing access to essential medicines in the developing world: UK Government policy and plans", was published on 30 June and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Brazil is one of a number of developing countries whose generic drug manufacturing capacity is sufficient to allow manufacture of their own HIV/AIDS drugs. Brazil has close links with a number of countries in Africa. The UK Government have made no specific assessment of the use of Brazilian AIDS drugs Africa.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the level of trade in the industrial sector between Brazil and the UK. [184189]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIn 2003, UK exports to Brazil and UK imports from Brazil of manufactured goods (defined as Divisions 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification) were worth £784 million and £669 million respectively. The two most important sectors by value for UK exports were medicinal and pharmaceutical products and power generating machinery and equipment. For Brazilian exports to the UK, the two most important sectors were power generating equipment and machinery and cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture).