HC Deb 13 April 1989 vol 150 c639W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about productivity levels in British manufacturing industry.

Mr. Atkins

In the three months to January 1989, manufacturing productivity, as measured by output per person employed, was at a record level, 6 per cent. higher than a year earlier and 49 per cent. higher than the 1979 average level. During the 1980s, manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom has grown faster than in all other major industrialised countries.