Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the trade balance for each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Trade Balance.
Details of the available statistics on the monthly trade balance since March 1992, as provided by the Central Statistics Office, are as follows:
|
Month |
Trade Surplus |
|
£m. |
|
|
March 1992 |
189.6 |
|
April 1992 |
187.6 |
|
May 1992 |
514.8 |
|
June 1992 |
337.6 |
|
July 1992 |
335.7 |
|
August 1992 |
182.8 |
|
September 1992 |
315.9 |
|
October*1992 |
230.6 |
|
November*1992 |
232.2 |
* The figures for October and November 1992 are provisional. Figures are not yet available for the months since November 1992.
The statistics show a continuing strong surplus of exports over imports, with all monthly surpluses except November higher than the corresponding 1991 figures. While the November 1992 surplus was lower than the corresponding figures for 1991, further statistics will be required before the full effects of the fall in the value of sterling become evident.