HC Deb 25 June 1996 vol 280 cc76-7W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken during the past 12 months to encourage sustainable growth in the construction sector; by what criteria he measures the success of his policy; and how he assesses the performance of the construction sector over the past 12 months measured against his own objectives. [33775]

Mr. Clappison

The Government's overall economic objective is to promote sustained economic growth and rising prosperity by continuing to pursue economic polices based on low inflation and sound public finances. The construction industry will benefit from these policies as the wider economy continues to grow.

The position of the construction sector is assessed in regular "state of the industry" reports. I would also refer the hon. Member to the DOE information bulletins held in the House of Commons Library, which contain information on the construction industry. The latest bulletins of interest are No. 238, covering industry output and employment in the first quarter of 1996, and No. 244, covering new construction orders in April 1996.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the relative level of activity in the construction sector over the past 10 years, taking 1985 as a base. [33744]

Mr. Clappison

The level of the total volume of output in the construction industry relative to 1985 was as follows:

  • 1985: 100.0
  • 1986: 103.5
  • 1987: 115.3
  • 1988: 126.4
  • 1989: 133.2
  • 1990: 134.5
  • 1991: 125.4
  • 1992: 120.4
  • 1993: 118.1
  • 1994: 121.9
  • 1995: 120.8

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