Chemicals

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 13 January 1988.

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Photo of Mr Allan Rogers Mr Allan Rogers , Rhondda 12:00, 13 January 1988

Is the Minister not misleading the House by simply saying that we have a surplus in chemical exports as opposed to imports, when that surplus is rapidly diminishing? Since 1979 imports have increased by over 50 per cent. The Minister should give both sides of the story. He should point out to the House that the chemical industry's share of the British market is steadily declining and that, because of very low investment in chemicals, we are gradually falling behind the rest of the world.