HC Deb 28 July 1982 vol 28 cc533-4W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) by what percentage output per head in manufacturing industry rose or fell between June 1981 and June 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in output per head in manufacturing industry over the previous 12 months in June of every year since 1959;

(2) by what percentage production in manufacturing industry rose or fell between June 1981 and June 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in production in manufacturing industry over the previous 12 months in June of every year since 1959.

Mr. MacGregor

The latest available estimate of output per head is for the first quarter of 1982, when the figure in manufacturing industry was some 10 per cent. higher than in the first quarter of 1981.

Between the three months ended May 1981 and three months ended May 1982, the latest period for which figures are available, the index of manufacturing production increased by some 2 per cent.

Such estimates as are readily available for earlier periods are as follows:

Production and Output Per Head in Manufacturing Industry percentage Change on Same Period a Year Earlier
Seasonally adjusted
Production* Output per head
Second quarter 1959 +5.0 ..
Second quarter 1960 +9.0 ..
Second quarter 1961 +1.5 ..
Second quarter 1962 -0.4 ..
Second quarter 1963 +1.8 ..
Second quarter 1964 +9.4 +7.8
Second quarter 1965 +3.8 +2.6
Second quarter 1966 +2.6 +2.1
Second quarter 1967 -0.2 +2.6
Second quarter 1968 +7.0 +8.5
Second quarter 1969 +4.9 +3.3
Second quarter 1970 -0.3 -0.2
Second quarter 1971 +0.1 +2.2
Second quarter 1972 +1.6 +6.0
Second quarter 1973 +8.4 +8.4
Second quarter 1974 +0.8 +1.6
Second quarter 1975 -9.0 -6.6
Second quarter 1976 +2.5 +6.8
Second quarter 1977 +0.8 +1.2
Second quarter 1978 +2.1 +1.9
First half 1979‡ +1.1 +2.1
First half 1980‡ -5.7 -2.2
Second quarter 1981 -8.3 +1.9
* Based on the index of manufacturing production published monthly by the CSO.
† Some indicators within the index of industrial production are based on sales data, which may overstate—understate the level of output. The index numbers used to calculate output per head allow for this by adjusting for changes in the level of stocks in these sectors.
‡ 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 a a whole.
.. Not available.

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