HC Deb 24 January 1985 vol 71 c498W
32. Mr. Knox

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been any further signs of an increase in economic activity.

Mr. Peter Rees

Yes. Making allowance for the coal strike, in the third quarter of 1984 GDP was around 3 per cent. above its 1983 third quarter level. In the three months to November 1984 manufacturing output rose by an estimated 1¼ per cent. to reach a level 8½ per cent. above its trough in the first quarter of 1981.