§ 24. Mr. MealeTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which measures of competitiveness have shown an improvement since 1979; and which have shown a deterioration.
§ Mr. NewtonThe two main measures of international competitiveness are relative unit labour costs and share of world trade. Compared with our major competitors United Kingdom relative unit labour costs for manufactured goods fell by 5.8 per cent. between 1979 and 1987. Our share of the volume of world trade in manufactures has been broadly stable since 1981, after many years of decline. The signs are that our non-price competitiveness, which covers factors such as quality, reliability and after-sales service has also improved.