HC Deb 22 July 1996 vol 282 cc34-5W
Mr. Gerrard

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what policies the Government have put in place to improve investment in United Kingdom manufacturing. [36797]

Mr. John M. Taylor

We are providing a stable economic environment with low inflation, low corporation tax rates, historically low interst rates and profits are high. The Treasury summer forecast expects that business investment—which includes manufacturing investment—will rise by over 7 per cent. both this year and next.