§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the performance of manufacturing industry and investment since May 1983.
§ Mr. MacGregorFigures for December 1986 show that manufacturing output was 10½ per cent. higher, and
61Wproductivity 15½ per cent. higher, than in May 1983. In the three months to January 1987 manufacturing exports, excluding erratic items, were over 28 per cent. higher than in the second quarter of 1983; manufacturing investment, including leased assets, was 13½ per cent. higher in the fourth quarter of 1986 than in the second quarter of 1983. The February 1987 CBI monthly trends survey showed marked increases in total and export order books and in manufacturing companies' expectations for output growth over the next four months.