HC Deb 03 March 1980 vol 980 c29W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give his estimate of the financial effects upon the country's economy of the steel strike to date.

Mr. Biffen

The information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member, but it has been estimated that since the strike began manufacturing output has on average been 3½ per cent. lower than it otherwise would have been, largely because of lost production in the steel industry itself. BSC for its part has said that the strike is costing it £10 million a week.