§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in output per head in non-manufacturing since the second quarter of 1983; how this compares with manufacturing; and what is the reason for any difference.
§ Mr. Peter ReesBetween the second quarter of 1983 and the third quarter of 1984 output per head increased by 7½ per cent. in manufacturing industries and remained constant in non-manufacturing industries. Distortions to non-manufacturing productivity in 1984 because of the coal strike make strict comparison of these figures difficult. Recorded productivity outside manufacturing tends to change more slowly, partly because of the way output is measured in some of the activities concerned.