Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 July 1983.
Mr Kenneth Carlisle
, Lincoln
12:00,
27 July 1983
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of United Kingdom exports went to other member states of the European Community in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
In the 12 months ending June 1983, 43 per cent. of the United Kingdom's visible exports went to the other countries of the European Community.
Mr Kenneth Carlisle
, Lincoln
Does my right hon. Friend agree that those figures show that the Common Market is by far our biggest trading partner and that millions of jobs depend on our trade with Europe? Therefore, is it not high time that the Labour party openly accepted that we are in the Common Market for good, thereby providing a little more of the certainty that industry needs if it is to invest?
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Alas, I cannot speak for the Labour party, but we can say that we speak for the country. The country showed very clearly at the last General Election what it thought of the Labour party's policy on the European Community.
Mr Allan Rogers
, Rhondda
Does the Minister agree that one of our greatest exports to the European Community over the past six years has been jobs and investment? Will the Government take any action to protect our industries, which are flying to the continent in order to take advantage of the unnatural subsidies that are being given by the other member states?
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
No, I cannot agree with the hon. Member. We send 43 per cent. of our exports to the Community. The figure was only 30 per cent. in 1970. Many jobs in the United Kingdom depend on that trade. The best estimate that we can make is that about 2·5 million jobs would be at risk if the Labour party's policy were to be carried out.
Sir Anthony Meyer
, Clwyd North West
Is it not also a fact that the coverage of imports by exports is far greater in relation to our trade with the European Community than it is in relation to our trade with other advanced industrial areas —countries such as Japan and the United States?
Mr Paul Channon
, Southend West
What my hon. Friend says shows how important the market is to us and how important it is to stay in the Community.
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