TNAG-1268-FCO40-1617-China-s-economic-relationship-with-Hong-Kong-Shenzhen-econom-1983 — Page 144

C

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

For WRITTEN ANSWER on

13 April 1983

Text of Question

154

Head of HKGD

Please submit :- a draft Answer & background

to Parliamentary Unit before NoON

Tuesday 12 April

Mr Ray Whitney (Wycombe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong for the last five years for which figures are available; and what is the net revenue to the United Kingdom Government that arises as a result of Hong Kong's status as a dependent territory,

Mr Douglas Hurd

The following table shows the balance of visible trade between

the United Kingdom and Hong Kong for the period 1978 - 82:

1978

£m

1979

£m

1980

1981

£m

£m

1982

£m

2

614.0

Exports to Hong Kong (FOB)

361.7

4425 559.A 439.4

617-5-- 732.5

Imports from Hong Kong (CIF)

-531-4-

517.8

689.2

-850-2 897.3 872.5

849.8 896.6

Balance

-169.7 -166-1

-246.8 -290.8 -279.8 -140.0 -249.8

-282.6

The United Kingdom does not impose taxes on Hong Kong, and thus

receives no direct revenue from there. There are some relatively

small budgetary transactions with the Territory, for example

concerning defence. These have in the past led to a net cost to

the UK, but Hong Kong has assumed a greater proportion of costs

in recent years.

No authoritative figures for

invibly

are in the sector

Minister.

available, but it

I clear thar the United

kuydum has Киўдии

In 13/4