HC Deb 23 June 1993 vol 227 c228W
22. Sir David Knox

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.

Mr. Sainsbury

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade meets the president and director-general of the CBI regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. He last visited the CBI on 17 June and met a number of CBI representatives.

26. Mr. Hawkins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the performance of manufacturing industry in the north-west during the past year.

Mr. Sainsbury

Manufacturing industry in the north-west has shared in the national improvement in the economy in the last year benefiting from the fall in interest rates to the lowest level for 16 years. In the three months from January to April 1993, seasonally adjusted unemployment in the region fell by 6,500.

30. Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received on the decline in numbers of jobs in manufacturing industry over the last five years.

Mr. Sainsbury

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received a number of representations about the decline in manufacturing jobs over the last five years. Improved competitiveness remains the key to growth in manufacturing employment.

31. Mr. Turner

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the prospects for manufacturing industry in the black country and the west midlands in the next two years.

Mr. Sainsbury

The prospect for manufacturing industry throughout the west midlands are constantly assessed by my Department through the work of the west midlands regional office.