§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the latest industrial trends on overseas order books for manufacturing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe latest CBI monthly industrial trends survey (November) shows that export order books have weakened from the high levels seen at the beginning of the year—a balance of 4 per cent. of manufacturers considers its export order book to be below normal. However, the366W latest full quarterly survey (October) showed that manufacturing industry continues to be optimistic about export prospects and so far this year the volume of exports of manufactured goods has increased by some 6 per cent. compared with the same period last year.