Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the Economy (North-West) – 26 January 1989

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the Economy (North-West) on 26th January 1989.

Mr. Tony Lloyd To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the long-term future of the economy of north-west England.

Mr. Parry To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the long-term future of the economy of the north-west.

Mr. Major The Government do not publish long-term forecasts of the regional economies, but my assessment is that the prospects for north-west England are good, deriving from a more broadly based and flexible economy. For example, the region has one of the most rapidly falling unemployment rates in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Sumberg To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the economic growth rate in the north-west of England for the last two years for which figures are available.

Mr. Major The growth of GDP at factor cost in current prices in the north-west region is estimated to have been 10.1 per cent. between 1985 and 1986, and 7.4 per cent. between 1986 and 1987. These estimates are subject to revision, particularly the provisional 1987 figure.