HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 145 cc230-1W
30. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the latest figures he has for the productivity of manufacturing industry; and what were the comparable figures one year ago.

Mr. Atkins

Productivity in manufacturing industry, as measured by output per person employed, in the three months to October 1988 averaged 121.2, based on 1985 equal to 100. This is an increase of nearly 7½ per cent. on the average level of 113.0 in the same three months of 1987.

37. Mr. Michael Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the productivity growth in manufacturing industry in(a) Britain and (b) other major industrialised countries.

Mr. Atkins

Since 1980 manufacturing productivity, as measured by output per head, has grown faster in the United Kingdom than in all other major industrialised countries. Over the previous two decades the United Kingdom was at the bottom of the league. Between 1980 and 1987 the annual average growth rate in percentage terms was:

Per cent.
United Kingdom 5.3
United States of America 4.1
Japan 2.3
Germany 2.0
France 2.5
Italy 3.7
Canada 3.2

Source: OECD, IMF, CSO.