HC Deb 17 May 1976 vol 911 cc357-8W
25. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to encourage higher productivity in industry.

Mr. Alan Williams

The improvement of productivity is a prime objective of the Government's industrial strategy now being developed in co-operation with both sides of industry. The tripartite groups carrying out sectoral studies are considering action to improve all aspects of productivity. Government financial assistance to industry provides opportunities for modernisation and rationalisation, and these are key themes of the schemes of assistance recently introduced under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972.