§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount invested by business in 1989 compared to 1979; how much was invested by manufacturing other than food, drink and tobacco; how much was invested, in each case, in plant and machinery; and what the cost would have been in each of the four cases of constant allowances in 1989 and the 1979 notes.
§ Mr. MellorThe table provides the available comparisons.
Business investment £ million current prices 1979 1989 All fixed assets 24,816 66,457 Plant and machinery 12,979 33,842
Manufacturing investment1 other than food, drink and tobacco £ million Current prices 1985 prices 1979 1989 1979 1989 All fixed assets 5,614 10,824 8,701 9,426 Plant and machinery 4,362 8,975 6,728 7,964 1 Excludes leased assets, for which no industrial analysis is available.