Orders of the Day — The Economy

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:13 pm on 28 November 1989.

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Photo of Mr Patrick Duffy Mr Patrick Duffy , Sheffield, Attercliffe 4:13, 28 November 1989

If, as the Chancellor has said, the policy is working, how does he explain the gloomy forecast of the Confederation of British Industry yesterday that, with investment slumping, the economy hovers on the brink of two years of recession? How does such a forecast encourage any of us to believe that the narrow manufacturing base, which was the burden of the concern of my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Monklands, East (Mr. Smith), will be expanded? Unless that happens, we cannot narrow the trade gap.