asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he proposes to take to encourage the growth of exports by manufacturing industries.

My Department provides a full range of export services in support of British industry arid commerce, including the manufacturing sector. Exports of manufactured goods were up by 9·5 per cent. in volume terms in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period in 1984, and in the first half of this year the United Kingdom increased its share in volume terms of exports of manufactures from the main manufacturing countries.