§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the percentage change in imports of finished manufactures since 1973; what has been the change in United Kingdom production and exports of finished manufactures; and what has been the effect on manufacturing employment.
§ Mr. NeedhamBetween 1970 and 1993 the value of United Kingdom imports of finished manufactures increased by 1,450 per cent. Over the same period, the value of exports of finished manufactures increased by 985 per cent.
Due to major differences between the industrial and trade classifications, it is not possible to provide comparable information on United Kingdom production and employment.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if, on current trends, United Kingdom manufacturing output will exceed the 1989 level by the end of the century.
§ Mr. SainsburyOn the basis of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1994–95", manufacturing output is likely to pass its 1989 level within the next year and a half.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what figures for the terms of trade of manufactured goods from 1979 to date he is using for his study of the competitiveness of British manufacturing; and if he will publish these figures.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe terms of trade can be readily derived from unit value indices held on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed from the Library of the House.