§ Mr. Parrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the movement in United Kingdom unit costs, including non-wage factors such as employers' national insurance contributions, on a common currency basis compared with the United States of America, Canada, Japan, West Germany, France and Italy between 1975, 1977 and 1979, respectively, and the present day, extrapolating the cost trend in national currencies apparent over the last two quarters for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Channon[pursuant to the reply, 19 February 1985, c. 434]: I have been asked to reply.
The information is in the table: 632W
Unit labour costs* in manufacturing Percentage changes 1975 to 1984 7977 to 1984 1979 to 1984 United Kingdom +43 +47 -10 France -1 -1.5 -27 Canada +44 +30 +26 Federal Republic of Germany +14 +1.5 -25 Italy +10 +15 -11 Japan +9.5 -1 -16 United States of America +59 +46 +24 * In United States $ terms. Note:
1984—estimates based on the first three quarters.
Source:
International Monetary Fund.