§ 16. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the deficit on manufacturing trade with European Economic Community countries in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what was the export-import ratio in manufactures in that period.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn the 12 months to March the deficit was E9.7 billion on the balance of payments basis. The ratio of exports to imports was 72 per cent.
§ 19. Mr. Loydenasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next intends to meet the Trades Union Congress to discuss investment in manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have no present plans for a meeting with the TUC on this subject. But I will study with interest any views on investment in manufacturing industry which it lets me have.
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§ 21. Mr. Cabornasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was invested in manufacturing industry in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1986–87.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe data for 1986 and 1987 are not available. Manufacturing investment in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1985 is estimated to be £680 million.
§ 23. Mr. Knoxasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the most recent figure for output in manufacturing industry; and how this compares with the figure for the same month 13 years ago.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy hon. Friend will appreciate that monthly data can be erratic especially when comparisons are made with 1974 when output was affected by the three-day week. However, since the trough of the recession in 1981, manufacturing output has increased by over 16 per cent. to reach a level of 108.1 in April 1987, based on 1980 equal to 100. This was about 6 per cent. lower than the level of output in April 1974.
§ 26. Mr. Morganasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next intends to meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the trade deficit in manufactured goods.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkMy colleagues and I meet the CBI from time to time. I have no plans for a special meeting on this subject.
§ 36. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was invested in manufacturing industry in (a) Wales and (b) England in 1986–87.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe requested investment data for Wales and England for 1986 and 1987 are not available. The latest available data are for 1985. For this year net capital expenditure1 in manufacturing industry in Wales is estimated to be £563 million. The corresponding figure for England is £7,111 million.
1Excludes expenditure on assets leased from the financial industries.
Source:Annual Census of Production 1985.
§ 37. Mr. Cryerasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the current balance of trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
§ 43. Mr. Morleyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the size of the current deficit in the balance of trade in manufactured goods.
§ 52. Mr. Blairasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current level of the deficit on manufactured trade.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn the first four months of 1987 there was a deficit on trade in manufactures of £1.2 billion.
§ 38. Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he intends taking to support manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. AtkinsWe shall continue to pursue policies conducive to enterprise and expansion through lower inflation and sustained economic growth. We are also implementing a range of policies designed to help industry become more flexible and competitive, including the promotion of competition, including a reduction in the role of the state through privatisation; the reduction in the amount of red tape facing business; an emphasis on172W training and improving the links between industry and education and selective financial support to encourage industrial competitiveness, innovation and exports.
§ 61. Mr. Fatchettasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans his Department has to review manufacturing industry in the inner cities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government are continuing to develop the measure outlined before the election, including my Department's inner cities initiative, for targeting assistance more effectively on the problems of the inner city. I shall ensure that my Department's programmes take proper account of the need to encourage the establishment and revitalisation of businesses in the inner city areas.
§ 63. Mr. Hardyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that manufacturing industry is developed within the South Yorkshire area.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Government are applying measures to create the right climate in which industry generally can prosper. Under the Government's regional policy, the whole of south Yorkshire has assisted area status. This provides access to a range of regional incentives for industrial development from both the United Kingdom Government and the European Community.
§ 7. Mr. Pikeasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what five sectors of the manufacturing industries have suffered the worst deterioration in balance of trade since 1979.
§ Mr. Alan Clark[pursuant w his oral reply, 8 July 1987]: Following are the five best sectors, excluding oil extraction and financial services:
SIC Group 364 Aerospace Equipment 251 Basic Industrial Chemicals 257 Pharmaceutical Products 256 Special Industrial and Agricultural Products 424 Spirit Distilling