§ 40. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current rate of production of cutlery and flatware by value, type, including stainless steel, and number of pieces in the United Kingdom; what are the amounts and value exported as against home value; and how the figures for the current year compare with each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. CryerAggregate information is shown in the following table. More detailed information is published in Business Monitor PQ 392 and the Overseas Trade Statistics, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.
Cutlery, spoons, forks and plated tableware* Index of production (1970=100) Manufacturers' sales† £ million Exports‡ £ million 1973 99.6 71.3 28.6 1974 103.3 84.0 38.1 1975 88.0 90.1 41.7 1976 86.4 102.7 50.8 1977 (January to June)§ 87.2 59.6 30.5 * Principal products of Minimum List Heading 392; i.e., cutlery, spoons, forks and plated tableware (including safety razors and blades). † Includes estimates for sales by establishments with less than 25 employees. ‡ Valued f.o.b. § Not seasonally adjusted.
§ 42. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with representatives of the steel industry concerning the production and export of stainless steel cutlery.
§ Mr. CryerNone, but there have been discussions with the Cutlery and Silverware Association of the United Kingdom86W I hope that these will result in a study of the major factors affecting the efficiency and competitiveness of the cutlery and flatware industry in both home and overseas markets. My Department has offered to contribute towards the cost of this study and to provide expert assistance.