§ Mr. SkinnerAsked the Secretary of State for industry what was the level of manufacturing output (a) in May 1979 and (b) at the latest available date.
§ Mr. ButcherThe index of industrial production for manufacturing stood at 107.9 in May 1979 (1975=100,18W seasonally adjusted). In December 1982 it is provisionally estimated to have been 86.8. Too much emphasis should not be placed on a single month's figures however. In particular, production during the second quarter of 1979 included some "catching up" from the road haulage dispute and severe weather of the first quarter.