§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage increase or decrease there has been in new industrial development, expressed in per capita terms, in Great Britain since 1st March 1974; and what information he has regarding comparable figures for France, West Germany, Holland and Denmark since that date.
Mr. Alan WilliamsIn the seven quarters between 1st April 1974 and 31st December 1975, the latest date for which information is available, the volume of investment per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been about 5 per cent. more than the preceding seven quarters,8W and about the same as in the corresponding phase of the previous investment cycle in 1970–71.
Comparable information in respect of the other countries is not readily available.
§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the amount of private industrial investment in England during the last 12 months; and if he will estimate the effects of this on the economy.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThis information is not available. However, capital expenditure in 1975 in the United Kingdom by all manufacturing industry, including the British Steel Corporation and excluding investment in the North Sea, was £3,585 million. In the first half of the year investment in England was 80 per cent. of the United Kingdom total. The CBI Survey, the results of which were published this week, broadly agrees with my Department's November-December intentions survey that an upturn in investment can be expected in the course of this year.
§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the amount of private investment in industry in the West Midlands during the past 12 months; and if he will estimate the effects of this on the economy.