asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the balance of trade deficit, at seasonally adjusted values, with the Common Market for the 12 months to the end of March 1977;(2) whether the balance of trade deficit, at seasonally adjusted values, with the Common Market for the first quarter of 1977 is an improvement over the same period of 1976; and if he will give the figures.

Figures on a balance of payments basis for the first quarter of 1977 are not yet available. The following are the crude trade balances—i.e., exports f.o.b. less imports c.i.f.—with the rest of the EEC: