HC Deb 26 July 1977 vol 936 cc186-7W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the production of spun cotton yarns in million kilos in 1957, 1967, 1975 and 1976, in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Western Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Mr. Cryer

The production of spun yarns, including waste yarns, of cotton was as follows:

hon. Member today. The retail sales price index might be regarded as a more appropriate index for the retail sector, and on that basis, the current equivalent turnover value for that sector would be £108,000. No adjustment appears to be necessary for the manufacturing, construction, mining, quarrying, road transport, or catering sectors.

Mr. David Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a revised version of the statistical definition of small firms adopted by the Bolton Committee, Command Paper No. 4811, page 3, in line with the subsequent movement in the latest figure for the retail price index, in order to embrace the same kind of firm as was originally considered by the Committee.

Mr. Cryer,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 22nd July 1977]; gave the following information:

Updating the turnover figures in the Bolton Report in line with the retail price index for June 1977 produces the following results:

£
Retailing 114,800
Whole trades 459,200
Motor trades 229,600
Miscellaneous services 114,800