asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in national productivity, defined as output per person employed over the economy as a whole, between 1973 and 1977, and for each of the six previous four-year periods, viz. 1969–73, 1965–69, 1961–65, 1957–61, 1953–57 and 1949–53; and if he will provide similar figures relating to productivity in manufacturing industry alone.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th November 1978; Vol. 957, c. 58], gave the following reply:The table below shows percentage increases in output per person employed over the whole economy and in manufacturing industries. Such data as are available for the earliest period for manufacturing industries only permits calculation of the increase from 1950, and a similar calculation is shown for the whole economy for purposes of comparison.

OUTPUT PER PERSON EMPLOYED: PERCENTAGE CHANGE;
	Whole Economy	Manufacturing Industries
1973–1977	1·4*	1·4*
1969–1973	12·3	18·3
1965–1969	11·8	16·4
1961–1965	10·9	15·9
1957–1961	9·9	9·9
1953–1957	7·0	8·6
1950–1953	3·3	2·4
1949–1953	6·1	‥
‥Not available.
* Provisional.

Output over the whole economy is measured by the output-based measure of gross domestic product at constant 1975 factor cost, and persons employed include employees in employment, self-employed persons—with or without employees—and Her Majesty's Forces. Output in manufacturing industries is measured by the index of manufacturing production, and persons employed include employees in employment and self-employed persons —with or without employees. Full-time and part-time workers are counted as full units in each of the employment series. The series of index numbers on which these percentages are based is subject to some breaks due to redefinitions particularly between 1958 and 1959.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual percentage increase (a) in total national productivity, defined as output per person employed over the economy as a whole, and (b) in productivity in manufacturing industry, between the first quarter of 1974 and the latest quarter for which the figures are available; and how this compares with the average long-term annual rates of increase over the past 10, 20 and 30 years respectively.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th November 1978; Vol. 957, c. 57], gave the following information:Such comparisons as can be made from available data are shown below.

OUTPUT PER PERSON EMPLOYED: AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE INCREASES
	Whole Economy	Manufacturing Industries
1974 1st quarter–1978 2nd quarter	1·9*	1·6*
1967–1977	2·0	2·9
1957–1977	2·2	2·9
1950–1977	2·0	2·6
1948–1977	2·1	‥
‥Not available.
* Provisional.

Output over the whole economy is measured by the output-based measure of gross domestic product at constant 1975 factor cost, and persons employed include employees in employment, self-employed persons—with or without employees—and Her Majesty's Forces. Output in manufacturing industries is measured by the index of manufacturing production, and persons employed include employees in employment and self-employed persons—with or without employees. Full-time and part-time workers are counted as full units in each of the employment series. The series of index numbers on which these percentages are based is subject to some breaks due to redefinitions particularly between 1958 and 1959.