§ 47. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the most recent set of construction output figures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierProvisional figures of construction output in Great Britain in 1987, in constant 1980 prices, are as follows:
Type of work £ million New housing (i) Public sector 700 (ii) Private sector 3,660 Other new work (i) Public sector 3,240 (ii) Private Industrial 2,740 (iii) Private Commercial 4,570 All new work 14,910 Housing repair and maintenance 5,200 Other public sector repair and maintenance 2,510 Other private sector repair and maintenance 1,950 All repair and maintenance 9,660 All work 24,560 Total output in 1987 was at its highest level since 1973, and there have now been six successive years of growth. Almost two thirds of the 1987 output was accounted for by work for private sector clients. The volume of output in the private commercial sector reached a new record level in 1987, while private sector housing output was at its highest level since 1973. The continuing high level of new orders placed in recent months supports the generally held view that there is likely to be further growth in construction output in 1988.