§ 25. Sir David KnoxTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet the President of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry. [16461]
§ Mr. HeseltineI, and other DTI Ministers, regularly meet the Confederation of British Industry. The latest figures show manufacturing output up 4.3 per cent., productivity up 4.6 per cent. and exports up 14 per cent., on a year earlier.
§ 26. Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has for manufacturing growth in the east midlands. [16462]
§ Mr. PageWhile my Department does not commission or produce such estimates, recent surveys by the CBI and other economic analysts show sustained growth in the region in 1994 and good prospects for 1995. For example, the latest economic survey by east midlands chambers of commerce and industry shows that in the last quarter of 1994, 51 per cent. of businesses experienced improved home orders, 42 per cent. showed improved export orders, 42 per cent. planned investment in new plant and machinery and 68 per cent. were confident of improved turnover in 1995.