HC Deb 16 December 1960 vol 632 cc91-2W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out in tabular form for the engineering and allied industries output and exports in 1913, 1924, 1954, and 1959.

Mr. Maudling

Following are the figures:

£ million
Production (a) U.K. Exports (b)
1913 87
1924 530 116
1954 5,630 1,188
1959 7,800 1,648

(a) No Census of Production was taken for 1913. Figures for 1924 and 1954 are of gross output, as defined for the Census of Production, by all firms in the mechanical and electrical engineering, shipbuilding and marine engineering, vehicles, miscellaneous metal goods, scientific instruments and watches and clocks industry. The industrial classification used in the two censuses was not identical in all respects. Both figures contain estimates for firms not making returns or making unsatisfactory returns. No deduction has been made for duplication, i.e. sales of parts and components to other engineering firms for incorporation in their products for sale. The figure for 1959 is a projection of the 1954 figure based on monthly and quarterly statistics.

(b) Figures for 1913 excluded exports to and included exports of the Irish Republic. Figures for that year and for 1924 have been estimated and are not entirely comparable with later years. Figures for 1954 and 1959 relate to Export List Divisions D11, 14–19, 22 and 23 (part).