Import and export

Britain's success as a trading nation owes much to the part that Parliament has played in providing vital support and encouragement.

Over the past three centuries Parliament's regulation of British trade has been much influenced by changing attitudes, policies and principles.

At the same time, Parliament has also helped to initiate major projects for building the docks and ports which have allowed for the inward and outward flow of goods.

Overview

Since the 17th century Parliament has seen British trade as central to Britain's prosperity. Find out more about how Parliament has supported trade

Key dates

See at a glance the main turning-points in the way Parliament has regulated trade

Contemporary context

The importance of the European Union in the UK's trading relations

Further your research

More in depth sources on the history and development of British trade and how it has been supported by Parliament

Glamorgan Case Study

Find out about the building and development of Cardiff Docks and the impact they had on the people of Cardiff.

Sea of Words

Please click below to view Sea of Words

Sea of Words was created by Trevor Woolery, our Artist in Residence as part of the Arts in Parliament project.

Sea of Words by Trevor Woolery

Find out more

You can find out more about project by clicking on the links below:

Trevor Woolery's artist's statement

About Sea of Words

Time and Tide videos

Please click below to watch videos of our Communities project, Time and Tide.

This project was in partnership with Glamorgan Archives, Mount Stuart Primary School and Grangetown Local History Society. The films were made by staff and students from Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Glamorgan.

Mount Stuart Primary School explore the history of Cardiff Bay

Grangetown Local History Society investigates the history of Cardiff Docks