The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: Chief Secretary (1987-1989)

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Business Start-Ups – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Business Start-Ups on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Andrew Mitchell To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average weekly rate of business start-ups in net terms in 1988.

    Mr. Major In 1987, the latest year for which figures have been published by the Department of Employment, the net increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT was 45,000 – an average of approaching 900 a week. Indications are that the rate of increase in 1988 is even faster. The number of VAT registrations and de-registrations processed by Customs and Excise during 1988 indicate a net increase of more than 1,200 a week. Department of Employment figures for 1988 will be available in the summer.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the Budget Surplus – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the Budget Surplus on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. McAllion To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the budget surplus at present.

    Mr. Roger King To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the level of public sector surplus in 1988–89.

    Mr. Jack To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the level of public sector surplus in 1988–89.

    Mr. Major I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friends to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Overseas Assets – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Overseas Assets on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Bowis To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets.

    Mr. Jacques Arnold To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets.

    Mr. Beaumont-Dark To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets.

    Dr. Twinn To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets.

    Mr. Major At the end of 1987, the United Kingdom net stock of overseas assets was worth £89½ billion, about one fifth of GDP. These assets generated earnings of £5½ billion in 1987. The United Kingdom net stock of assets was the second highest in the world behind Japan. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Exports – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Exports on 26th January 1989.

    Dr. Moonie To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide his latest forecast for growth in the United Kingdom’s visible exports in 1989.

    Mr. Clelland To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide his latest forecast for growth in the United Kingdom’s visible exports in 1989.

    Mr. Major I refer the hon. Members to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Buckley).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Government Expenditure – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Government Expenditure on 26th January 1989.

    Dr. Goodson-Wickes To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outlook for general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product.

    Mr. Neil Hamilton To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outlook for general Government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic profit.

    Mr. Major My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement to the House on November 1988 set out the Government’s plans for public spending. It noted that general government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) in 1988–89 is expected to be below 40 per cent. of GDP for the first time in over 20 years; and that over the next three years it is expected to fall further.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Interest Rates – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Interest Rates on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Patchett To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the extra borrowing costs to industry incurred by a rise of 1 per cent. in interest rates.

    Mr. Morley To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the extra borrowing costs to industry incurred by a rise of 1 per cent. in interest rates.

    Mr. Major The cost to industrial and commercial companies of a one percentage point rise in United Kingdom short-term interest rates maintained for a full year is estimated to be about £400 million.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on National Insurance – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on National Insurance on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Ian Taylor To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions has he had with the institute for fiscal studies regarding reform of the national insurance contributions system.

    Mr. Major None, but I have noted their proposals.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Employment – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Employment on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Devlin To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of (a) self-employment and (b) part-time employment in the United Kingdom since 1979.

    Mr. Major Between June 1979 and September 1988 the number of self-employed people in Great Britain rose by 60 per cent. to nearly 3 million. Over the same period, the part-time work force in employment rose by 30 per cent. to more than 6 million.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Public Sector Surplus – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Public Sector Surplus on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Janman To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the level of public sector surplus in 1988–89.

    Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Labour Costs – 26 January 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Labour Costs on 26th January 1989.

    Mr. Gregory To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest information on the growth of unit labour costs in manufacturing industry.

    Mr. Burns To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest information on the growth of unit labour costs in manufacturing industry.

    Sir Hal Miller To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest information on the growth of unit labour costs in manufacturing industry.

    Sir David Price To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest information on the growth of unit labour costs in manufacturing industry.

    Mr. Major In the three months to November, manufacturing unit wage costs increased by 0.5 per cent. on the same period a year earlier.