To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide the latest available statistics for the import content of raw materials consumption.

Based on information published in the latest available input-output tables for 1984, the proportion of all purchases by the energy and manufacturing industries accounted for by imports was approximately 26 per cent. Purchases include both raw materials and semi-manufactures, which cannot be separately distinguished. I will write to my hon. Friend in more detail.