§ 25. Mrs. OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the prospects for profitability and volume of exports of the manufacturing sector. [100552]
§ Mr. CabornIn 1998 the profitability of manufacturing companies was at the highest level for 30 years and surveys by British Chambers of Commerce show confidence in manufacturing profitability at its highest level for over two years. Export growth has picked up sharply, with the latest figures showing that export volumes in the third quarter rose by 9.6 per cent., the fastest rate of growth for 20 years. Most economic forecasters expect this improvement to continue into next year.
§ 29. Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Staffordshire chamber of commerce and industry to discuss the manufacturing industry. [100557]
§ Ms HewittMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had a very useful meeting on 15 November 1999 with the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, of which the Staffordshire Chamber is a division.
During his visit he had wide-ranging discussions covering manufacturing industry and also visited two manufacturing businesses in the county.