HC Deb 20 December 1961 vol 651 cc163-4W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish an annual analysis of the economy with quarterly supplements, giving a comparative measurement of the contributions made towards the economy, with the first issue based on a comparison of the situation in 1924, 1954 and on the last date, showing the rate of investment in each industry and services, output per man hour, output per man, average hours worked, wages and earnings, amount of holidays each year, amounts received per man for each week unemployed, sick or on holiday, the percentage contributed by each industry towards the total volume of exports, and comparisons as far as information is officially available with similar industrial countries.

Sir E. Boyle

Statistical information bearing on most of the matters listed in the question is currently being published at regular intervals (mostly monthly or quarterly) depending on the arrangements which have been made for the collection of the data. The Government also try to provide in the annual Economic Survey, in the monthly Economic Trends, in articles in the Treasury Bulletin for Industry, and in other published material such syntheses of, and comments on, these data as seem likely to be of most general interest. I cannot, I am afraid, undertake to provide a regular survey on the lines suggested by the hon. Member, but he would find most of the elements of it available in the material already published, which is, of course, being continually developed and improved.