asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of imports from: (a) Nigeria and (b) South Africa in 1976 and the first half of 1977.

Imports from Nigeria were valued at £317 million in 1976 and £133 million in the first half of 1977. The corresponding figures for South Africa were £613 million and £468 million respectively.

Does my hon. Friend agree that his reply illustrates that the pattern of trade is changing and that other parts of Africa are becoming more important sources of raw materials for this country? Might it not therefore be a good idea to diversify our imports away from South Africa, which is a region of high political instability?

My hon. Friend is right: there is a marked shift in trade. Indeed, by the end of this year it is likely that our exports to Nigeria will be nearly twice the level of our exports to South Africa. On the question of diversion, I am sure that many companies will inevitably draw the conclusion from the recent trend of events that South Africa is likely to be an increasingly risky proposition.