§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing(a) the amount invested by United Kingdom manufacturing industry in plant and machinery in 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985 and 1989 at 1985 prices, (b) the amount invested per person employed in manufacturing industry in each of those years and (c) the nearest comparable figures for France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America in each case.
§ Mr. MellorThe following table provides the available information for the United Kingdom, from the annual census of production. In this case, net capital expenditure means capital purchases net of sales.
Investment figures derived from the annual census of production differ slightly from those published in the United Kingdom national accounts because of differences in definition and coverage.
There are no directly comparable data available for other countries. OECD publishes comparisons of investment incurred by industry groups, but not for plant and machinery alone.
Net capital expenditure in plant and machinery in manufacturing industry at 1985 prices in the United Kingdom Total £ million £ per person employed 1970 7,903.7 983.9 1973 6,665.9 862.0 1979 8,031.3 1,159.6 1985 6,881.2 1,383.0 1988 8,845.4 1,793.4 Notes:
1. Orders III to XIX of SIC(68) up to 1979. Divisions 2–4 of SIC(80) for later years.
2. The latest available census year is 1988.
3. From 1988, in line with accounting practice, assets leased on a finance leasing basis are included as assets by the lessee rather than by the lessor. This is estimated to have increased total 4W of Cm. 1520; differences in the level of central Government support are set out in a previous answer to the hon. Member on 18 April 1991 at column 259.