§ 56. Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current outlook for investment in 1984.
§ Mr. LawsonThe current outlook for business investment is most encouraging, reflecting recent increases in output and profits. The investment intentions survey published by the Department of Trade and Industry in December pointed to a real increase of 9 per cent. in investment by manufacturers and 6 per cent. rise in non-manufacturing industrial investment during 1984. The January CBI survey also suggests a substantial increase both in manufacturing investment and in the production of the capital goods industries.