§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual percentage increase in gross investment in machinery and equipment at fixed prices in the periods 1958–64, 1964 to the latest available date, and 1958 to the latest available date, in the following countries, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and from information available from international sources, in Japan and the United States of America.
§ Mr. HigginsThe figures are given in the table below covering the nearest period to that requested for which they are available on a comparable basis. The information is taken from the latest returns made to O.E.C.D. The figures cover transport equipment—vehicles, ships and aircraft—as well as plant and machinery, since these categories are not reported separately by some of the countries.
AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN GROSS INVESTMENT IN TRASPORT AND OTHER EQUIPMENT, AT CONSTANT PRICES 1958–64 1964–69 1958–69 United Kingdom 5.7 3.8* 4.8* Belgium 8.4† 6.3 7.4† France 10.3† 8.3 9.2† Germany 7.6‡ 5.8 6.6‡ Italy 8.1 3.9 6.1 Luxembourg 12.9‡ −18.8§ −4.3‡§ Netherlands 9.2 7.7 8.5 Japan║ 18.9 15.2 17.2 United States of American¶ 7.5 8. 7.7 * Figures cover the period up to 1970 and are based on figures published since the O.E.C.D. return was submitted. † Figures cover the period from 1959 only. ‡Figures cover the period from 1960 only. §Figures cover the period to 1968 only. ║Including investment in buildings and other construction and works apart from dwellings. ¶Excluding goverment investment.