HC Deb 07 December 1981 vol 14 c296W
30. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the current performance of British industry.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

There is always scope forimprovement but it is encouraging that productivity— manufacturing output per employee—rose 10 per cent. between the last quarter of 1980 and the third quarter of 1981. In marked contrast to earlier periods unit labour costs remained stable in the first half of 1981. The outlook for exports is the brightest for nearly five years. This is good news.