§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the gross capital formation in the United Kingdom plus the increase in book value of stocks and work in progress, of industrial and commercial companies in the last quarter of 1979 and in the last quarter of 1980; what percentage the latter figure was of the former; and what evidence he has of how this trend has altered so far in 1981;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the figures for gross capital formation for each of the following categories for the fourth quarter of 1979 and the fourth quarter of 1980, together with a column showing the percentage increase or decrease in each category: personal sector, industrial and commercial companies plus the increase in book value of stocks and work in progress, financial companies and institutions, public corporations, central Government, and local authorities.
§ Mr. LawsonThe information is given below: 11W
Gross Capital Formation £million, seasonally adjusted Q4 1979 Q4 1980 Percentage change Personal sector 2,318 1,792 -23 Industrial and commercial companies 5,997 2,645 -56 Financial companies and institutions 979 1,335 +36 Public corporations 1,569 1,930 +23 Central government 449 569 +27 Local authorities 917 1,007 +10 Gross capital formation comprises gross fixed capital formation at current prices plus changes in the book value of stocks and work in progress. As the differences between the two quarters are the result both of volume changes and price changes the concept of a trend in the figures is difficult to interpret. No information is yet available for 1981.