§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the fall in investment in new plant and machinery in manufacturing industry in each of the past two years; and what is his estimate of the effect this will have on productivity in manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. ButcherAt constant prices, investment in plant and machinery in manufacturing industry* (including leased assets) fell by 11.3 per cent. in 1981 (compared with 1980) and by 10.9 per cent. in 1982 (compared with 1981). It would be difficult to isolate from other factors the effect of a fall in investment on productivity. There is scope for improving productivity within existing resources and this is being achieved.
* Industry order groups III to XIX of the standard industrial classification (1968).
Offer Value Per Estimated Job Created 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 £ £ £ £ £ Wales 1,470 1,821 2,110 2,438 3,041 North East 2,129 2,203 3,340 2,783 2,496 North West 1,764 1,103 2,264 3,160 1,730 Yorkshire/Humberside 868 795 1,262 1,779 1,462 East Midlands 680 841 1,093 2,798 2,658 South West 878 1,717 2,051 2,004 3,722 West Midlands 528 892 — — —