HC Deb 29 February 1984 vol 55 c174W
28. Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the recent trend of productivity in British industry.

Mr. Butcher

During the three years to the end of 1983 output per person employed in manufacturing increased at an annual rate of 6¼ per cent. For all production industries taken together the increase was 7½ per cent. a year. Since 1979 the United Kingdom's relative position has improved significantly. Compared with the average for 1979, the figures for the third quarter of 1983, expressed as a percentage change, were: United Kingdom 12 per cent., United States of America 11¼ per cent., Japan 8½ per cent., West Germany 6¼ per cent.