HC Deb 01 November 1983 vol 47 cc320-1W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was invested in new machinery and factories per worker in 1982; what are the comparative figures for (a) the United States of America (b) Germany, and (c) Japan, respectively; and how these compare with similar figures for 1978.

Mr. Butcher

The latest information available from OECD statistics, relating to 1981, and comparable figures for 1978, are shown in national currencies and converted to pounds sterling at official exchange rates:

Components of gross capital formation at constant prices* per employee†
Non-residential buildings Machinery and other equipment
1978 1981 1978 1981
United Kingdom (£) 275 252 329 385
United States of America ($) 555 590 1,343 1,494
(£ equivalent) (289) (291) (700) (738)
Germany (DM) 3,530 3,600 3,774 4,046
(£ equivalent) (917) (790) (980) (888)
Japan (Yen '000s) 228 276 410 523
(£ equivalent) (566) (621) (1,018) (1,176)
* At 1975 prices for the United Kingdom, USA and Japan; at 1976 prices for Germany. Source: Table 4b National Accounts Volume II 1983
United Kingdom Coal Imports
(Tonnes)
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 (Jan-Aug)
United States of America 1,027,811 3,608,920 1,933,471 1,927,210 738,093
Australia 2,137,193 2,818,062 1,799,879 1,131,701 1,416,515
Poland 657,633 445,754 142,225 316,624 257,934
Federal Republic of Germany 209,247 77,087 122,718 308,963 312,108
Netherlands 43,736 70,544 40,433 142,996 105,682
South Africa 37,511 64,535 77,178 62,869 12,126
Belgium/Luxembourg 25,147 36,465 10,955 54,261 71,060
Morocco 33,568 50,877 23,020 21,740 11,538
France 10 968 1,355 14,404 9,327
USSR 64,589 44,550 nil trade 8,459 11,036
Irish Republic 58,366 42,451 3.079 3,402 2,120
China 58,299 66,467 nil trade 696 783
Other countries nil trade nil trade *135,847 5,695 †88,365
TOTAL TRADE 4,353,110 7,326,680 4,290,160 3,999,020 3,036,687

Source: Data corresponding to SITC(R/2) Sub-groups 322.1 and 322.2 in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics

* Includes 112,814 tonnes consigned from Sweden.

† Includes 82,462 tonnes consigned from Norway.