UK industry in the eighties

<p>The discussion of British industry tends (understandably) to be dominated by the disappointing record of the past twenty years. Some people even manage to extract gloom from the increase in our wealth which comes from North Sea oil by pointing out that its enjoyment requires an acceptance of relative industrial decline. I propose, however, to do something which you may regard as positively eccentric: to look at the bright side-or at least to talk about things which might be done to improve the prospect, eschewing exhortation and concentrating on practical policies. Indeed, I intend to limit myself to policies which would be effective before the end of the coming decade. More distant goals are all very well in their place-but the things I want to consider need a short time-scale.</p>