§ 10. Mr. Cyril D. TownsendTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what comparison she has made between the strike record in the United Kingdom and Germany currently and between the United Kingdom and West Germany in 1979. [31791]
§ Mr. OppenheimIn 1979, the United Kingdom lost 29.5 million days through strikes—more than 50 times West Germany's total of 0.5 million. In 1993, by contrast, the United Kingdom and the unified Germany each lost 0.6 million days to labour disputes.
§ Mr. TownsendI thank my hon. Friend for those interesting and encouraging figures. Does he agree that Britain's improved industrial relations record in the 1980s produced a very good case for abolishing the Department of Employment some years ago?
§ Mr. OppenheimThat is an interesting perspective. Many extremely good civil servants worked in the Department of Employment, which was a very good Department. I think that they will go to other Departments and spread around their good work.
My hon. Friend makes another good point. The Government's labour market reforms have led to a revolution in British manufacturing productivity. In the 1960s and 1970s, Britain was anchored at the bottom of the G7 league for growth in manufacturing productivity. In the 1980s and in the 1990s, Britain has been at the top of the G7 league for growth in manufacturing productivity. That is the best way to ensure more and better paid jobs for people.