HC Deb 19 January 1996 vol 269 cc791-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was, in the constant prices, investment in new plant and machinery per manufacturing employee in each year since 1973; and what is his estimate of the proportion invested in(a) replacing labour and (b) increased capacity. [9796]

Mr. Oppenheim

The level of investment in plant and machinery per employee in constant prices for manufacturing industry are shown in the table. Consistent figures for manufacturing employment are not available before 1978. The data do not distinguish the reason for the investment.

Manufacturing investment in plant and machinery per manufacturing employee at 1990 prices
£
1978 1,395
1979 1,486
1980 1,441
1981 1,278
1982 1,322
1983 1,408
1984 1,694
1985 1,976
1986 2,017
1987 1,869
1988 2,299
1989 2,473
1990 2,437
1991 2,393

Manufacturing investment in plant and machinery per manufacturing employee at 1990 prices
£
1992 2,331
1993 2,266
1994 2,405

Standard Industrial Classification 1992 Section D. Employee figures are for June each year.