HC Deb 03 December 1981 vol 14 cc185-6W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the closure of an average of 40 iron foundries a year since 1980, what further rationalisation he considers would be necessary to bring stability to the industry.

Mr. Wakeham

The pattern of short-time working being followed by many foundries in the United Kingdom suggests that further rationalisation by the industry is required to bring capacity into line with demand.

The figures available for investment per capita and annual percentage changes in investment per capita, output, and output per head for the United Kingdom, Germany, United States of America and Japan over the period 1975 to 1980 are as follows: