HL Deb 30 June 1997 vol 581 c9WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that one of the underlying causes of inflation, of low growth and of unemployment is "too narrow an industrial base", how they measure the width of the industrial base, and what that measurement was at the most recent time for which figures are available.

Lord Simon of Highbury

There is no unique measure of the industrial base. The Government aim to broaden the wealth creating base by pursuing policies which will create a better skilled workforce and a modernised infrastructure, encourage investment, help nurture small firms and new technologies, and attack long-term and youth unemployment.