§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees were employed in manufacturing industry a year ago and at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Miss WiddecombeIn December 1993, there were 4,176,000 employees in manufacturing industries in Great Britain. This compares to 4,190,000 employees in182W December 1992— fall of 14,000 jobs over the year. The changing distribution of employment away from manufacturing and towards services is a trend shared by all western industrial nations. However, the output of United Kingdom manufacturing industry in the December quarter showed an annual increase of 2.2 per cent. This reflects a substantial improvement in productivity, up by 3.2per cent. over the same period.