The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: 1989

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Government Expenditure – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Government Expenditure on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. John Marshall To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, as a proportion of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

    Mr. Sayeed To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, as a proportion of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

    Mr. Devlin To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, as a proportion of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

    Mr. Major The 1989 “Financial Statement and Budget Report” gave a figure of 39.5 per cent. for the ratio of general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, to gross domestic product in 1988–89. The corresponding figure for 1982–83 was 46.75 per cent.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Imports and Exports – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Imports and Exports on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Radice To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for growth in the current year in (a) non-oil imports and (b) non-oil exports.

    Mr. Bell To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for growth in 1989 in (a) non-oil imports and (b) non-oil exports.

    Mr. Boyes To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for growth in the current year in (a) non-oil imports and (b) non-oil exports.

    Mrs. Clwyd To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for growth in 1989 in (a) non-oil imports and (b) non-oil exports.

    Mr. Major No. Not until the Autumn Statement.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Profitability – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Profitability on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Tracey To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in profitability for non-North sea industrial and commercial companies over the last year for which figures are available.

    Mr. Mans To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in profitability for non-North sea industrial and commercial companies over the last year for which figures are available.

    Mr. Waller To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in profitability for non-North sea industrial and commercial companies over the last year for which figures are available.

    Mr. Major The net real rate of return for non-North sea industrial and commercial companies was estimated in the “Financial Statement and Budget Report” to have risen in 1988 to almost 11 per cent., its highest level for over 20 years.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Business Start-Ups – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Business Start-Ups on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Brazier To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

    Mr. David Davis To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

    Mr. Dunn To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

    Mr. Major In the calendar year 1987, the latest for which figures have been published by the Department of Employment, the net increases in the number of businesses registered for VAT was 45,000 an average of nearly 900 a week. The figures for 1988 will be available later in the summer. However, the unadjusted Customs and Excise figures suggest that the rate of increase since 1987 has been even faster, and the net increase in the financial year 1988–89 may have amounted to some 1,300 per week.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Investment – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Investment on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Burt To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what share of gross domestic product was accounted for by business investment in 1988.

    Mr. Nicholas Winterton To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what share of gross domestic product was accounted for by business investment in 1988.

    Mr. Simon Coombs To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what share of gross domestic product was accounted for by business investment in 1988.

    Mr. Major Business investment, as defined in the “Financial Statement and Budget Report”, accounted for 14.6 per cent. of GDP in 1988. This is the highest proportion of GDP ever recorded.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Employment – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Employment on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Watts To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total increase in employment in the United Kingdom economy and in each of the other major European countries since 1983.

    Mr. Day To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total increase in employment in the United Kingdom economy and in each of the other major European countries since 1983.

    Mr. Norris To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total increase in employment in the United Kingdom economy and in each of the other major European countries since 1983.

    Mr. Major The information is as follows:

    Growth in Total Employment 1983–88

    Percentage growth | 000s
    United Kingdom 11.0 2,589
    Germany 3.2 820
    France -0.2 -50
    Italy 4.2 930
    Spain 5.5 620
    Netherlands 5.6 250
    Belgium 3.6 130

    Source: Department of Employment for United Kingdom (figures are for increase between June 1983 and June 1988). Other countries’ figures calculated from estimates of growth in employment given in June 1989 OECD Economic Outlook (estimates rounded to nearest 10,000).

    Mr. Riddick To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the effect on public expenditure of the fall in the level of unemployment over the last two and half years; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Major As a result of the fall in unemployment between January 1987 and May 1989, public expenditure on benefits for the unemployed has been approximately £2.75 billion lower than it would otherwise have been over this period.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Manufacturing – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Manufacturing on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Charles Wardle To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual rate of growth of manufacturing output over the last two years.

    Mr. Pawsey To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the annual rate of growth of manufacturing output over the last two years.

    Mr. Major In the two years ending in the three months to April, manufacturing output grew at an average annual rate of 6.2 per cent.

    Sir David Price To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom since 1979 and in the previous two decades.

    Mr. Major Between 1979 and the three months to April 1989, output per head in United Kingdom manufacturing industry grew at an annual average growth rate of 4.2 per cent, significantly higher than the 1.6 per cent. growth achieved in the 1970s and 3 per cent. growth in the 1960s.

    Mr. Cryer To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of the current level of interest rates on manufacturing firms employing less than 200 employees.

    Mr. Lilley Inflation is the greatest threat to the prosperity of all manufacturing firms. They will therefore benefit greatly from the Government’s determination to keep interest rates as high as necessary for as long as necessary as part of its firm anti-inflationary policy.

    Mrs. Peacock To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest projections for the growth of manufacturing investment in 1989.

    Mr. Moss To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest projections for the growth of manufacturing investment in 1989.

    Mr. Major The latest DTI investment intentions survey published in June projected manufacturing investment in constant prices to rise by 15 per cent. in 1989 on a year earlier. The latest CBI quarterly trends survey published in April confirms this buoyant outlook.

    Dr. Goodson-Wickes To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual rate of growth of manufacturing output over the last two years.

    Mr. John Browne To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom since 1980; and what were the comparable figures in the other major industrial countries.

    Mr. Robert B. Hughes To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom since 1980; and what were the comparable figures in the other major industrial countries.

    Dr. Twinn To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth of manufacturing productivity in the United Kingdom since 1980; and what were the comparable figures in the other major industrial countries.

    Mr. Major Comparable figures for manufacturing productivity growth in the major industrialised countries are available only up to the fourth quarter of 1988. Manufacturing productivity, as measured by output per person employed, was 51 per cent. higher in the United Kingdom in 1988 than in 1980. Over the same period in the United States productivity increased by 37 per cent., in Japan by 28 per cent., in Germany by 19 per cent., in France by 27 per cent., in Italy by 35 per cent. and in Canada by 33 per cent.

    Mr. Hunter To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of manufacturing productivity since 1980.

    Mr. Stevens To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of manufacturing productivity since 1980.

    Mr. Major Output per head in United Kingdom manufacturing in the three months up to April 1989 was 55 per cent. higher than its average level in 1980, an average annual growth rate of 5.2 per cent.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the Balance of Trade – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the Balance of Trade on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Allan Roberts To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in visible goods in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Barron To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in visible goods in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Bidwell To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in visible goods in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Harry Barnes To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in visible goods in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Major The latest forecast of the visible trade balance in 1989 was published in the “Financial Statement and Budget Report” for 1989–90. An updated forecast for 1989, together with a forecast of the visible trade balance in 1990, will be published in the Autumn Statement in the usual way.

    Mr. Livingstone To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will next provide a forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Cunliffe To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will next provide a forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Redmond To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Frank Cook To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for the United Kingdom’s balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Graham To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will next provide a forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Illsley To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will next provide a forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Ms Abbott To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Major A forecast of the balance of payments will be published as usual in the next Autumn Statement.

    Mr. Wareing To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revised figure for the balance of payments in the first quarter of 1989.

    Mr. Adams To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revised figure for the balance of payments in the first quarter of 1989.

    Ms. Armstrong To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revised figure for the balance of payments in the first quarter of 1989.

    Mr. Major Latest estimates for the first quarter of 1989 show a current account deficit of £4.8 billion, an improvement of £0.8 billion over the preceding quarter.

    Mr. Rees To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise his forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Lawson A forecast of the balance of payments will be published as usual in the next Autumn Statement.

    Mr. Grocott To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the United Kingdom’s balance of trade in manufactured goods for 1989.

    Mr. Ron Davies To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufacturing in 1989 and 1990.

    Dr. Reid To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufacturing in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Callaghan To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufacturing in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Tony Lloyd To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufacturing in 1989 and 1990.

    Mr. Major The “Financial Statement and Budget Report” for 1989–90 provides a forecast of the balance of trade in manufactures for 1989 only. For this forecast, I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 8 June at column 204.

  • Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Self-Employment – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Self-Employment on 6th July 1989.

    Mr. Hanley To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in self-employment since 1979.

    Mr. Arbuthnot To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in self-employment since 1979.

    Mr. Michael Brown To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in self-employment since 1979.

    Mr. Major Self-employment in the United Kingdom has increased by 1,142,000, or 60 per cent. since June 1979.

  • Mr Major’s Parliamentary Answer on Economic Advisers – 6 July 1989

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s response on Economic Advisers on 6th July 1989 in the House of Commons.

    Mr. Wall To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his economic advisers at the Treasury.

    Mr. Gareth Wardell To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his economic advisers at the Treasury.

    Mr. Major I shall arrange for a list of the numbers in each grade to he published in the Official Report.

    Mr. Wall Have the Chancellor’s economic advisers concluded whether Sir Alan Walters, the Prime Minister’s economic adviser, is correct in saying that the current high and rising rate of inflation is due to the Chancellor’s decision to peg the pound to the deutschmark?

    Mr. Major I understand why the hon. Gentleman is seeking to cause trouble, but I have no intention of accommodating him.

    Mr. Wardell Have the Chancellor’s advisers yet reached the conclusion that his over-reliance on the rate of interest as an instrument of economic policy is the key to understanding his current mismanagement of the British economy?

    Mr. Major The Chancellor’s advice from his advisers is for him. The decisions that are taken are for the Chancellor. I have no intention of referring to the advice that is received.

    Mr. Robert Banks Will the Minister accept advice from me, that the current interest rates are biting quite well enough and that the Government’s policy must be given time before we take any other action that may or may not be necessary? It is essential that the economy is given proper time in which to respond to current levels.

    Mr. Major As I said earlier, my right hon. Friend will certainly use monetary policy to bear down on inflation. I give my hon. Friend that categorical assurance.

    Mr. Batiste Does my right hon. Friend agree that a sensible person should take advice from as many sources as possible, and that he will be judged not by the noises that come from his advisers but by the quality of the judgments that he makes based upon that advice?

    Mr. Major My hon Friend makes an extremely good point. It is not that long ago that we had some advice from 364 distinguished economists who were entirely wrong. I can certainly offer my hon. Friend the assurance that none of them work for the Treasury.

    Mr. John Smith Is it not clear that the Chancellor is in need of some good advice, in particular not to make foolish interventions in rail disputes and not to threaten even further cuts in investment in our railway system, which is already inadequate because of years of under-investment by the Government?

    Mr. Major Even by the standards of the Opposition Front Bench, that is a remarkably misguided statement. The growth in investment in British Rail has been 75 per cent., and we now have the largest investment programme in British Rail since the advent of steam. That is a reality that the right hon. and learned Gentleman and his hon. Friends might do well to understand.

    The following is the information:

    1 Chief Economic Adviser at Grade 1A
    1 Deputy Chief Economic Adviser at Grade 2
    4 Grade 3 (Under Secretary) Economists
    12 Grade 5 (Senior Economic Advisers)
    31 Grade 7 (Economic Advisers)
    27 Economic/Senior Economic Assistants