§ Mr. Stuart Holland, asked the Secretary of State for Trade what number of the larger firms in 1978 represented half of (a) visible export trade and (b) visible import trade.
§ Mr. TebbitEighty-seven United Kingdom enterprises accounted for half of United Kingdom visible exports in 1976, the latest year for which information is available. Corresponding information for 1977 will be published in an article "Direct Exporters and Credit Terms of Exports in 1977" inTrade and Industry during July. Similar information for imports is not available.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Trade what number of the larger firms in 1948, 1958, 1968 and 1978 represented half of the output of (a) construction, (b) retail food sales and (c) retail drink sales, distinguishing (i) alcoholic and (ii) non-alcoholic drinks.
§ Mr. TebbitThe information available for construction on a comparable basis over time is shown below; it relates to undertakings. For total retail sales the available information for census of distribution years—1950, 1961 and 1971—relates to organisations—undertakings operating one or more establishments within the scope of the census. For 1976 the information relates to businesses—legal units—and is not therefore comparable with earlier years. Separate information for retail food and drink sales for 1971 and 1976 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The figures available are as follows:
Year Number of larger undertakings accounting for half of construction output 1958 925 1968 860 1976 900 Year Number of larger organisations accounting for half retail sales 1950 4,750 1961 1,700 1971 930 Year Number of businesses accounting for half retail sales 1976 390