The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

Chief Secretary (1987-1989)

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Productivity – 4 May 1989

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Productivity on 4th May 1989.


Mr. Hind To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

Mr. Lilley Whole economy productivity has increased, on average, by 2.5 per cent. a year since 1980, faster than any other major industrialised country apart from Japan.

Mr. Burns To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind).

Mr. Allen Stewart To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

Mr. Patrick Thompson To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

Mr. David Davis To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friends to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind).

Mr. Anthony Coombs To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of manufacturing productivity in the economy.

Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle).