HC Deb 25 April 1990 vol 171 cc238-9W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual percentage rise in unit labour costs in manufacturing in West Germany, France, Italy, the United States, Japan, Sweden and the United Kingdom since 1979.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 23 April 1990]: Following is the information requested.

Growth in manufacturing unit labour costs in national currencies
(annual average percentage change)
1979–881 1979–89
United Kingdom 5.0 4.9
United States 2.3 —
Japan −1.2 —
Germany 3.2 —
France 6.2 —
Italy 8.5 —
Sweden 6.1 —
1 Latest complete annual data.

Source: IMF except for United Kingdom (CSO).