HC Deb 21 December 1981 vol 15 c273W
Mr. Body

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the change in percentage terms in manufacturing output since 1973 of the United Kingdom, France and Western Germany.

Mr. MacGregor

Between 1973 and the three months to August 1981, the latest period for which figures for all three countries are available, manufacturing output increased by 4 per cent. in France and by 5 per cent. in West Germany, and fell by some 17 per cent. in the United Kingdom. Manufacturing output in the United Kingdom however rose by 1½ per cent. in the latest three months, to October 1981.