§ 54. Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to meet the Trades Union Congress to discuss investment in manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI meet the TUC regularly at the National Economic Development Council, where matters relevant to improving industrial performance are discussed. I have no plans for a separate meeting on the subject of investment in manufacturing industry.
§ 58. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the most recent figure for output in manufacturing industry; and what was the comparable figure for the same month seven years ago.
§ Mr. ButcherThe hon. Member will appreciate that monthly data can be erratic. However, since the trough of the recession in 1981, manufacturing output has increased by 14 per cent. to reach a level of 105.7 in November 1986, based on 1980 equal to 100. This was some 4 per cent. lower than the level of output in November 1979.