§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of jobs in manufacturing industry in the north-west region.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe White Paper "Regional Industrial Development" (Cmnd. 9111) published last December made it clear that the Government are committed to maintaining an effective regional policy and to ensuring that it is economic and effective in creating genuine jobs. An announcement on the current regional policy review will be made shortly.
Sustainable employment ultimately depends however on a healthy economy and competitive industry. Our policies are directed to this end and we continue to look for ways of building on what has been achieved so far. One important effect on firms' competitiveness is the level of wages and the Government believe that moderating the growth in real earnings will have a significant impact on employment levels in manufacturing and other industries in the north-west, and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers employed in manufacturing industry in Britain in 1970, 1976, :1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe following table gives the numbers of employees in employment in manufacturing industries in Great Britain in June of each of the years specified. The June 1970 figures are based on the 1968 Standard Industrial Classification and those for the later years are based on the 1980 SIC. Figures based on the 1980 SIC are not available for dates prior to June 1971.
June Number 1970 8,164,000 1976 7,131,000 1979 7,113,000 1980 6,804,000 1981 6,100,000 1982 5,803,000 1983 5,539,000