HC Deb 30 November 1992 vol 215 cc47-8W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the effect of the appreciation in the nominal value of sterling between the fourth quarter of 1986 and the third quarter of 1990 on the rate of inflation, manufacturing output and employment.

Mr. Nelson

The level of the nominal exchange rate is one of many factors that will have affected inflation, manufacturing output and employment.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the trade-weighted reduction in the value of sterling, the dollar, the deutschmark and the yen since 1985; and if he will publish a table showing in each case to the latest available date the corresponding change in(a) the unit cost of labour, (b) producer prices and (c) consumer prices.

Mr. Nelson

Data for the effective exchange rates, consumer prices and producer prices of Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan can be found in the IMF's International Financial Statistics. Data on unit labour costs can be found in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics". Figures for the United Kingdom can also be found in CSO's "Economic Trends".