Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Thursday, 26 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the share of world trade of each of the most indebted countries (a) in 1980 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the share of world trade of each of the most indebted countries (a) in 1980 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available. [159762] Clare Short: In 1980 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) held a share in world merchandise and services trade of 0.87 per cent. The figure in 1998 was 0.57 per cent. Over this period the volume of exports in merchandise and services rose from $21 billion to $38 billion. There are 41 HIPC countries. Figures for 1980 were not available in 11 of these countries. Figures for 1998 were not available in seven.

Secondary information