§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the competitiveness of manufacturing industry in Wales, with particular reference to the steel production centres in Wales. [42447]
§ Mr. HainAccording to the annual census of production 1996, figures indicate that manufacturing productivity in Wales was around eight per cent. higher than in the UK and around 48 per cent. higher for metals manufacturing compared to the UK. Figures relating to the competitiveness of the steel production centres in Wales are not available.