HC Deb 02 June 1981 vol 5 c321W
27. Mr. Peter Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the changes in employee productivity in manufacturing industry in the current recession 1980–81 compared with that of 1974–75.

Mr. Peter Morrison

In the first quarter of 1981 output per head in manufacturing industries was nearly 6 per cent. below its average 1979 level. Between the peak and trough of the previous recession in 1973–75 it fell by nearly 5 per cent. Figures for output per man hour are not available, because no comprehensive information on hours worked exists which covers both manual and non-manual employees. However, the average weekly hours worked by an operative in manufacturing industries in the first quarter of 1981 was nearly 6 per cent. below its average 1979 level, a similar fall to that in output per head. The fall in average hours worked by an operative in the previous recession was just over 4 per cent., slightly less than the fall in output per head.

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