§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the change in the level of output of buses, coaches and minibuses between 1988 and 1992; what were the corresponding figures for Germany, France and Italy; if he will publish a table showing the value and volume of output, imports, exports and consumption of buses, coaches and minibuses in the four countries in 1970, 1979, 1988 and 1992 together with the numbers employed; and when he expects United Kingdom output to regain the 1990 level.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe available data can be found in publications in the Library of the House.
International data for the volume of production of buses are published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd. in table 12 of the 1993 edition of "Motor Industry of Great Britain, World Automotive Statistics". New registrations of buses and coaches can be found in table 36 of the same publication. Information regarding the value and volume of exports for the United Kingdom can be found in table 62, and imports in table 91. For the other countries, the volume of exports is in tables 81 to 83. The table numbers referred to may vary in earlier editions. The data from this source may not be strictly comparable between countries. Figures showing the value of trade are published by the United Nations in "International Trade Statistics Yearbook volume 2". Data for the value of output and the numbers employed in the production of buses, coaches and minibuses are not available. My Department does not forecast output.