G.F. 323

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33.

a proportion of gross output dropped from 31% in 1973 to 25,3 in 1974.

These ratios taken together represent a relative shift of the share of

value added to labour. A possible explanation for this shift in the

circumstance is the time lag resulting from the fact that manufacturers

probably do not immediately adjust the size of their work force with

fluctuations in orders. At the start of a recession, they first have

to establish that the reduction in orders is not a temporary phenomenen.

On the other hand, manufacturers may be insufficiently sure at the start

of an economic boom to be able to ex and their work force with confidence

and in any case they are likely to have unused capacity in their existing

labour force. The time log in adjustment varies between different

industries. It tends to be particularly long for such industries using

particularly skilled labour as the textile industry.

Table 34

68.

Statistics on production in 1974 for the clothing industry

showed a decrease in the number of ostablishments, but increases in

employment and in cutput. In 1974, value added (for clothing establishments

engaging 10 or more ersons) increased by 6%, employment and remuneration

to labour by 5% and 2% respectively compared with 1973. Total man-hours

worked by operatives increased by 7. The clothing industry in 1974

was in a rather peculiar situation. The recession coincided with a

change in demand in favour of denim products. Consequently, manufacturers

of trousers, jeans, dresses, blouses and skirts did well, more than compensating

for the decline in cutput of clothing.

69.

These production figures were not fully reflected in the

export statistics for 1974. They were collected from manufacturers

who usually have their accounts ending in March each year.

Thus, for

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