HC Deb 23 June 1998 vol 314 c479W
14. Mr. Lansley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the effects of the current exchange rate on Scottish manufacturing industry. [45584]

Mr. Wilson

Although the current level of sterling is a concern to many businesses, Scottish firms retain an impressive ability to compete successfully in both domestic and overseas markets.

The latest official data show that Scottish manufactured output rose by 7.7 per cent. in 1997.