§ Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Industry by how much he expects growth in Great Britain's gross national product in the current year to be reduced by industrial disputes which have taken place so far during the year.
252Wpenetration between 1973 and the 12-month period ending September 1978 for 33 sectors of manufacturing industry approximating as closely as possible to the areas covered by sector working parties.
I would, however, also draw the hon. Member's attention to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Bar (Mr. Rooker) on 18 January.—[Vol. 960, c. 930–34.]—which gave information relating to changes in import penetration in each of those sectors covered by the sector working parties from the time they were set up.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldOn the basis of early reports from industry it is estimated that, as a result of the road transport strike, about 10 per cent. of manufacturing production may have been lost in January. This sector contributes less than 30 per cent. to gross national product and some of the loss is likely to be made 253W good with the return to normal conditions. There is no information regarding the effect of this or any other dispute on the economy as a whole.