HC Deb 05 June 1990 vol 173 c398W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of manufacturing investment was in the first quarter of the current year.

Mr. McAvoy

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of manufacturing investment was in the first quarter of 1990.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The provisional estimate of manufacturing investment in the first quarter of 1990 is £3,091 million, at 1985 prices and seasonally adjusted. This is 1 per cent. higher than the previous quarter and 9 per cent. higher than the first quarter of 1989.

Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Confederation of British Industry; and whether levels of investment were discussed.

Mr. Norman Lamont

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor addressed the CBI's annual dinner on 17 May at which a range of subjects were discussed. This speech referred to the record rise in investment over the last three years, which he naturally welcomed. While he recognised the difficulties of the current slowdown in demand and output, he took the opportunity to urge British business to invest wherever it can.