§ 41. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect Her Majesty's Government's economic policies have had upon the competitiveness of British manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Government have provided a framework of fiscal and monetary policies to reduce inflation and achieve lower interest rates, both of which contribute to improved competitiveness. It has also reduced business costs by reducing the national insurance surcharge. But it is essentially up to industry itself to take the steps necessary to improve its competitive position, notably by controlling the growth of its wage costs.