HC Deb 13 June 1977 vol 933 cc74-5W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in national productivity, defined as output per person employed over the economy as a whole, between 1973 and 1976, and for each of the nine previous three-year periods, viz. 1970 to 1973, 1967 to 1970, 1964 to 1967, 1961 to 1964, 1958 to 1961, 1955 to 1958, 1952 to 1955, 1949 to 1952 and 1946 to 1949.

1976. Mr. Denzil Davies

There is no information available on output per person employed before 1950. Percentage changes over the period 1950 to 1952 and successive three-year periods from 1952 onwards are shown in the following table:

OUTPUT PER PERSON EMPLOYED, WHOLE ECONOMY
Period Percentage increase
1950–52 +0.2
1952–55 +8.4
1955–58 +3.1
1958–61 +8.3
1961–64 +8.8
1964–67 +6.4
1967–70 +9.2
1970–73 +9.3
1973–76 –1.2

Sources:

1950–1961 Economic Trends, October 1968.

1961–1967 Economic Trends Annual Supplement,

1967–1976 Economic Trends, April 1977.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual percentage increase in national productivity, defined as output per person employed over the economy as a whole, between the first quarter of 1976 and the first quarter of 1977; and how this compares with the average long-term annual rate of increase over (a) the past 10 years, (b) the past 20 years and (c) the past 30 years.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Between the first quarters of 1976 and 1977 gross domestic product increased by some 1 to 1½ per cent. Although comprehensive employment data are not yet available, it is estimated that output per person employed will have increased by about the same amount. There is no information available on output per person employed before 1950. Long-term annual rates of increase are estimated as follows:

Per cent. per annum
1966 to 1976 2.0
1956 to 1976 2.1
1950 to 1976 2.0

Sources:

1950–1961 Economic Trends, October1968
1961–1967 Economic Trends Annual Supplement 1976
1967–1976 Economic Trends, April 1977