HC Deb 11 May 1988 vol 133 cc154-5W
87. Mr. Irvine

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the increase in manufacturing productivity in Britain since 1979; and what is the comparable record of the United Kingdom's major industrial competitors.

Mr. Butcher

Between 1979 and 1987, output per head in the manufacturing sector increased by 37 per cent. The comparable increases for our major competitors are:

Percentage
Italy1 35
USA 31
Japan 26
Canada 24
France1 19
Germany 16
1 First three quarters of 1987 only.

Source:

United Kingdom: CSO.

countries: OECD and IMF.

96. Mr. Knox

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the most recent figure for output in manufacturing industry; and what was the figure for the same months 14 years ago.

Mr. Butcher

In February 1988 manufacturing output was at a level of 110.3, based on 1980 equal to 100. This is over 1 per cent, higher than the level of 109.0 for February 1974. But my hon. Friend will appreciate that monthly data can be erratic. A firmer basis for comparison would be that in the three months to February 1988, manufacturing output was over 2 per cent. higher than in the same period 14 years ago and over 21 per cent. higher than in the trough of the recession in 1981.