HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 cc68-9W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) by what percentage production in manufacturing industry rose between the second quarter of 1981 and the second quarter of 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in production in manufacturing industry over the previous 12 months in the second quarter of every year since 1945;

(2) by what percentage output per head in manufacturing rose or fell between the second quarter of 1981 and the second quarter of 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in output per head in manufacturing industry over the previous 12 months of every year since 1945;

(3) by what percentage production in manufacturing industry fell between the second quarter of 1979 and the second quarter of 1982; and how this compares with the percentage increase or decrease in production in manufacturing industry over the previous three years in the second quarter of every year since 1945;

(4) by what percentage labour productivity per head in manufacturing industry increased between the second quarter of 1979 and the second quarter of 1982; and how this compares with the percentage charge in labour productivity per head in manufacturing industry over the previous three years in the second quarter of every year since 1945.

Mr. MacGregor

The most recent figures requested are shown in the following tables. What earlier figures are available can be derived from the indices of manufacturing production, and manufacturing output per head, published inEconomic Trends annual supplement 1982, (tables 85 to 86, and 97 to 98 respectively), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Production and Output Per Head in Manufacturing Industry:
Percentage Change on Same Period a Year Earlier
Production* Output Per Head
First half 1979 +1.0 +2.0
First half 1980‡ -5.8 -2.2
Second Quarter 1981 -8.3 +1.9
Second Quarter 1982 -0.7 +6.7
Production and Ouput Per Head in Manufacturing Industry:
Percentage Change on Same Period Three Years Earlier
Production* Output Per Head†
First half 1979 +4.3 +5.4
Second Quarter 1980 -5.0 +0.3
Second Quarter 1981 -14.6 +0.3
First half 1982‡ -15.2 +5.2

* 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 as a whole.