HC Deb 30 November 1988 vol 142 cc250-1W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on United Kingdom manufacturing industries productivity since 1980 and that of major international competitors.

Mr. Maude

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.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing in terms of 1988 prices the balance of trade in manufactures each year from 1958 and to the current year to date at an annualised rate, where possible less erratic items.

Mr. Alan Clark

Figures are only available at 1988 prices from 1970 onwards. The remaining figures requested are shown in the table below:

Manufactures less erratics (BOP basis) at 1988 prices (£ billion)
Period Exports Imports Balance
1970 31.6 15.4 +16.2
1971 33.8 16.7 +17.2
1972 33.0 20.2 +12.9
1973 37.7 24.5 +13.1
1974 40.9 26.5 +14.4
1975 39.0 23.5 +15.5
1976 42.5 26.2 +16.3
1977 45.5 28.6 +16.0
1978 46.0 32.6 +13.3
1979 45.7 37.9 +7.7
1980 45.1 35.6 +9.5

Period Exports Imports Balance
1981 43.9 37.5 +6.5
1982 44.1 41.6 +2.5
1983 43.5 47.0 -3.5
1984 47.9 52.4 -4.5
1985 51.5 54.9 -3.5
1986 52.0 58.3 -6.2
1987 56.1 64.2 -8.0
19881 59.0 74.3 -15.3
1 The figures for 1988 are for January-October 1988 at an annualised rate.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing the percentage increase in the volume of imports of manufactures from and exports to the European Economic Community since 1970.

Mr. Alan Clark

Information on trade at constant prices is not available by area. Data at current prices are in the following table:

United Kingdom Trade in Manufactures with EC Countries1
£ billion BoP Basis
Exports Imports
1970 2.2 1.5
12 months to September 1988 30.7 42.5

Note: 1 Present membership in both periods.

Source: Department of Trade and Industry.