§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Industry by what percentage production in manufacturing industry fell between June 1979 and May 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in production in manufacturing industry over the previous three years in May of every year since 1948.
§ Mr. ButcherBetween the first half of 1979 and the three months ended May 1982 the index of manufacturing production fell by some 14 per cent. However, the decline was halted in the first half of last year and the underlying level of manufacturing output in the latest three months was around 2½ per cent. above its low point in the spring of last year.
Such estimates as are readily available for earlier periods are as follows:
Percentage changes in the index of manufacturing production* seasonally adjusted Three years to Per cent. 1951 +18.8 1952 +5.4 1953 +5.0 1954 +7.4 Second quarter 1955 +20.6 Second quarter 1956 +13.4 Second quarter 1957 +8.9 Second quarter 1958 +1.3 Second quarter 1959 +5.7 Second quarter 1960 +13.3 Second quarter 1961 +16.3 Second quarter 1962 +10.3 Second quarter 1963 +2.9 Second quarter 1964 +10.9 Second quarter 1965 +15.5 Second quarter 1966 +16.4 Second quarter 1967 +6.2 Second quarter 1968 +9.5 Second quarter 1969 +12.0 Second quarter 1970 +11.9 Second quarter 1971 +4.7 Second quarter 1972 +1.4 Second quarter 1973 +10.3 Second quarter 1974 +11.1 Second quarter 1975 -0.5 Second quarter 1976 -5.9 Second quarter 1977 -6.0 Second quarter 1978 † +5.4 First half 1979 †+4.4 Second quarter 1980 -4.9 Second quarter 1981 -14.5 * Based on the index of manufacturing production published monthly by the Central Statistical Office. † First half 1976 to first half 1979. The figures for the first two quarters of 1979 were distorted by the effects of bad weather and industrial disputes. Consequently more meaningful comparisons are obtained by using the first half of 1979 as a whole.