asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what percentage of British exports went to the countries now forming the EEC in the four years before the United Kingdom joined; and what percentage has gone there in the four years since the United Kingdom became a member;(2) what percentage of British imports came from the countries now forming the EEC in the four years before the United Kingdom joined; and what percentage has come from there in the four years since the United Kingdom became a member.

In the four years 1969 to 1972 an annual average of 28·6 per cent of total United Kingdom exports were to the EEC; in 1973 to 1976 the figure was 33·6 per cent. Corresponding figures for imports from EEC were 30·2 per cent. and 36·7 per cent. respectively.