§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the recent TUC forecast of the level of job losses in the manufacturing industry. [37700]
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§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 6 April 1998]The TUC calculation is based on an assumed relationship between output growth and employment. The prospects for manufacturing and the precise relationship between output growth and employment will depend on a range of factors.
This Government are committed to providing an environment in which all businesses can prosper. We are pursuing policies to deliver a high and stable level of employment over the long term.