§ 23. Sir David KnoxTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade maintains close contact with the CBI on a wide range of issues, including manufacturing industry.
§ Sir David KnoxWhen my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade next meets the president of the CBI, will he discuss with him the means of ensuring that manufacturing industry performs better in the next 20 years than it has in the past 20 years, during which manufacturing output has scarcely risen?
§ Mr. EggarOne of my right hon. Friend's major objectives in the White Paper on competitiveness was to address some of the underlying issues relating to improving productivity and reducing costs throughout the British economy. I think that my hon. Friend will agree with me that the White Paper is an important statement which has been welcomed throughout the trade associations and by the CBI, and that it points the way forward.
§ Madam SpeakerI shall come to the hon. Gentlemen after I have made a short statement, which is about the grouping of oral questions.