HC Deb 17 May 1989 vol 153 cc233-4W
33. Mr. Battle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the output per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

71. Mr. Rogers

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the output per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

78. Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the output per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

83. Mr. John Hughes

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the seven major industrial countries have a higher manufacturing productivity level than the United Kingdom; and which have a lower.

84. Mr. Parry

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the output per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, France, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

Mr. Atkins

No reliable comparisons exist for absolute levels of output per employee in manufacturing industry between different countries, but available figures show that in the 1980s output per employee in manufacturing industry has grown faster in the United Kingdom than in France, the United States of America, West Germany or Japan.

77. Mr. Ernie Ross

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the most recent United Kingdom share of world exports of manufactured goods; and what was the level in 1979, 1969 and 1959.

Mr. Alan Clark

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Monklands. West (Mr. Clarke) on 10 May 1989,Official Report column 435.

72. Mr. Knox

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the most recent figure for output in manufacturing industry; and what was the figure for the same month in 1973.

Mr. Atkins

In March 1989 manufacturing output was at a level of 118.5, based on 1985 equal to 100. This is 7½ per cent. more than the level of 110.4 for March 1973. But my hon. Friend will appreciate that monthly data can be erratic. A firmer based comparison would be that in the first quarter of 1989 manufacturing output was 7½ per cent. higher than in the same period in 1973. It was also 6½ per cent. higher than in the first quarter of 1938. Manufacturing output is now at its highest ever level.