HC Deb 19 February 1980 vol 979 cc115-6W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that information is gathered by Her Majesty's Government as to how the unit labour cost of producing a ton of steel in the United Kingdom compares with that of the United Kingdom's principal competitors.

The Prime Minister

Useful comparisons of labour productivity are already published by the European Coal and Steel Community and other international bodies. The NEDC is currently conducting a study on "State aids and State finance" and I believe that further relevant information will come from that.

In view of these facts, I would be reluctant to place an additional burden on the Government's Statistical Service.