HC Deb 14 February 1996 vol 271 cc1005-6
14. Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average annual growth in manufacturing output since 1979. [13517]

Mr. Oppenheim

Since 1979, manufacturing output has grown at an average annual rate of 0.7 per cent.

Mr. Jones

Did not the Secretary of State recently admit that the Thatcher years were a complete and utter disaster for Britain's manufacturing industries? Is it not the case that Britain's manufacturing is not safe in Conservative hands?

Mr. Oppenheim

No, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Garnier

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the greatest successes of the Major years has been manufacturing industries in the east midlands, an area that both he and I represent? Will he also ignore all history lessons from Opposition Front Benchers, who clearly do not know the difference between Joseph and Austen Chamberlain?

Mr. Oppenheim

I think that the Opposition are misled in a variety of ways.