§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect the increase in relative unit labour costs since 1978 has had on the relative profitability of manufactured exports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonManufacturers' relative unit labour costs affect their ability to compete in both home and overseas markets, while the relative profitability of88W exports may influence the balance they choose between export and home sales. The two are not therefore directly related, although they both have implications for the level of export sales.