The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: Chief Secretary (1987-1989)

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Manufacturing Industry – 26 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Manufacturing Industry on 26th November 1987.

    Mr. Fisher To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of trade in manufactured goods for the United Kingdom in 1979; and what is the anticipated figure for 1988.

    Mr. Major Since 1979 the volume of the United Kingdom’s manufactured exports have grown by 27 per cent. In 1988 the deficit in manufactured trade is likely to show a £9 billion deficit, largely because of the rapid growth in the United Kingdom economy compared to that of its competitors. In 1979 exports of manufactures were £31 billion and there was a surplus of £2.7 billion on manufactured trade.

    Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of United Kingdom manufacturing productivity since 1980.

    Mr. Brandon-Bravo To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of United Kingdom manufacturing productivity since 1980.

    Mr. Major Manufacturing output per head grew at an average annual rate of 5.25 per cent, between 1980 and the third quarter of 1987.

    Mr. Bright To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the net real rate of return in British manufacturing.

    Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Holt).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Economic Prospects – 26 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Economic Prospects on 26th November 1987.

    Mr. Turner To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss economic prospects for the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Major I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Company Registrations – 26 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Company Registrations on 26th November 1987.

    Mr. Rowe To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the rate of new company registrations; and at what rate these have grown since 1979.

    Mr. Marland To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the rate of new company registrations; and at what rate these have grown since 1979.

    Dr. Twinn To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the rate of new company registrations; and at what rate these have grown since 1979.

    Mr. Major I refer my hon. Friends to the answer my hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett).

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Overseas Assets – 25 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Overseas Assets on 25th November 1987.

    Mr. David Martin To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of United Kingdom holdings of overseas assets; what contribution the income from these assets makes to the balance of payments; and what are the comparable figures relating to the United Kingdom’s overseas competitors’ holdings of foreign assets.

    Mr. Major The level of United Kingdom net overseas assets at the end of 1986 was £114 billion – second only to Japan. The annual net income from these assets was £4.5 billion.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Job Creation – 24 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Job Creation on 24th November 1987.

    Mr. Pike To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his best estimate of the number of full-time equivalent jobs created as a result of the cuts in income tax in his last Budget.

    Mr. Major It has not been the practice of this or previous Governments to publish quantitative estimates of the effects of the Budget on employment.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Expenditure – 20 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Expenditure on 20th November 1987.

    Mr. McAllion To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the projected level of public expenditure on housing for 1987-88 compared with 1979, expressed at current prices.

    Mr. Major The table compares the estimated outturn of public expenditure on housing in Great Britain for 1987-88 with the outturn of expenditure for 1978-79 expressed at 1987-88 prices.

    Housing Expenditure in Great Britain (in £ million)
    Year | Gross Capital | Current (1)
    1978-79 (2) | 6,434 | 3,493
    1987-88 | 4,704 | 1,524

    (1) Figures include Rate Fund Contribution and non-Housing Revenue Account expenditure.
    (2) 1987-88 prices using GDP deflator.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Unit Labour Costs – 19 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Unit Labour Costs on 19th November 1987.

    Mr. John Marshall To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of unit labour costs in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Major In the second quarter of 1987 unit labour costs for the whole economy were 4 per cent. higher than a year earlier. Manufacturing unit wage costs were 1.5 per cent. higher than a year earlier in the third quarter of 1987.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Public Borrowing – 19 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Public Borrowing on 19th November 1987.

    Mr. Heathcoat-Amory To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the main factors currently influencing the level of public borrowing in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Major Buoyant tax revenues from a healthy growing economy and success in containing public expenditure within plans mean that the public sector borrowing requirement for 1987-88 is now forecast to be over £2 billion lower than in 1986-87.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Industrial Production – 19 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Industrial Production on 19th November 1987.

    Mr. John Evans To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the level of industrial production; and how this compares with June 1979.

    Mr. Major The index of output of the production industries was 113.8 in September 1987. In June 1979 it stood at 111.1.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the National Economic Development Council – 17 November 1987

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the National Economic Development Council on 17th November 1987.

    Ms. Richardson To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to change the criteria for selection of members of the National Economic Development Council.

    Mr. Major [holding answer 16 November 1987]: No.