§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the loss of competitiveness each year since 1976; and what is the breakdown of this figure for each year between high United Kingdom labour costs, sterling appreciation and other relevant factors.
§ Mr. Lawson[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1980 c. 32]: The table below shows changes in relative normal unit labour costs for each year since 1976. It also indicates how much of the change in competitiveness in each period is attributable to the faster growth in United Kingdom unit labour costs relative to those of our competitors, measured in their domestic currency, and how much is attributable to changes in the nominal exchange rate.
owner of a destroyed heritage property which has been exempted from capital transfer tax can consider what steps that owner may himself be able to take in order to provide for the situation specified in the hon. Member's question on 14 July, he will indicate what steps to this 151W end he has in mind which could be acceptable to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.