§ 50. Mr. Evansasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect on the economy of the latest manufacturing trade figures.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe latest trade figures for manufacturing, excluding the erratic items which tend to distort the figures, show an encouraging increase in export volumes, which rose by about 11 per cent. between 1983 and 1984, the best performance since 1973. The deficit on trade in manufactures last year was more than offset by surpluses on oil and invisibles. However, these figures are not the only indicators of the performance of the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing output rose 3¼ per cent. in 1984, and is now 9 per cent. higher than it was in the first half of 1981.