Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 December 2007.

EU: Economic Impact

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the statement by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Andy Burnham, on 19 November (Official Report, col. 981) that the European Union accounts for 58 per cent of our economy is based on official figures.

Answer: As the Chief Secretary to the Treasury explained (Official Report, col. 981) the EU is the UK's largest trading partner. The 57 per cent figure that he cited refers to Table 9.3 (Trade in goods and services) of the 2007 edition of the Office of National Statistics Pink Book, which indicates that in 2006 UK import trade with its European Union partners equated to 57.3 per cent of total UK imports. Export trade with our European Union partners amounted to 55.5 per cent of total exports.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 640; 696 c191WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: European Communities (Finance) Bill
Monday, 19 November 2007
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: UK trade with EU
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk