HC Deb 19 February 1986 vol 92 cc170-1W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give figures for (a) Stoke on Trent, (b) the west midlands and (c) the United Kingdom showing the percentage change between 1979 and the most recent year for which figures are available for (i) manufacturing output and (ii) investment in manufacturng industry; and if he will list the steps he has taken in the last 12 months to improve the figures.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 18 February 1986, c. 95]: The United Kingdom's manufacturing output decreased by 5 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1985, and it is estimated that investment in manufacturing industry fell by 18 per cent. (at 1980 prices) over the same period.

However, between 1981 and 1985 manufacturing output and investment in the manufacturing sector rose by 11 per cent. and 19 per cent. respectively.

Statistical information if not readily available for Stoke on Trent, but current price comparisons for the west midlands and the United Kingdom are shown in the table for the period 1979 to 1983, the latest period for which data is available.

Percentage change in manufacturing industry* 1979–43
Net output percentage Net capital expenditure percentage
United Kingdom +26 -10
West Midlands +13 -15

* Divisions 2–4 of the Standard Industrial Classification (1980).

Source: Annual Census of Production.

Regional selective assistance is available in a large area of the west midlands (but not Stoke on Trent); 235 offers have been made under this scheme with a value of £27 million and associated with £262 million project costs this will help either to safeguard or create 15,700 jobs in the area. West midlands regional office has taken part in more than 50 seminars in order to publicise regional selective assistance.

Since April 1984, 198 offers under the support for innovation scheme have been made in the west midlands area with a total value of £18 million. Of this, 32 offers, worth nearly £2 million, have been made to recipients in the Stoke on Trent travel-to-work area.