asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the total deficit in trade with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, since the United Kingdom became a member of the EEC.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1st December 1976; Vol. 921, c. 194.], gave the following information:Estimates of the United Kingdom's visible trade deficit by area, on a balance of payments basis, are available only up to the second quarter of this year. The United Kingdom visible trade deficit with the EEC and the rest of the world—in 1973, 1974, 1975 and the first half of 1976, taken together—was £6,541 million and £5,730 million, respectively.