§ 4. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress has been made with his study based on input/output analysis of the import content of the output of various industries.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe import content of industrial output and export levels are matters of considerable concern both to my own Department and to the sponsoring Departments. The application of input/output analysis in this field is one stage in the continuing programme of work on input/output techniques being developed by my Department.
§ Mr. BlakerI am not clear from that reply whether the Department is making such a study. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if it is, it will find that the import content of the output of the service industries is considerably less than that of the manufacturing industries? Will he, therefore, press ahead with such a study?
Mr. WilliamsUnfortunately, to some extent, the Opposition have responsibility 634 for the fact that the input/output tables have not been as up to date as they might have been, because when the 1958 census was taken the then Government omitted questions which would have given us the necessary information.