HC Deb 05 April 1984 vol 57 cc625-6W
20. Mr. Knox

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been any further signs that the economy is recovering from the recession since he introduced his Budget.

Mr. Lawson

Yes. Provisional figures for the fourth quarter of 1983 confirm that GDP has risen above its pre-recession peak. In the latest three months total export volume has risen by 7.5 per cent. The latest CBI inquiry confirms that the widespread recovery in manufacturing industry is continuing, with more manufacturing firms expecting to increase their output than at any time in the past eight years.