Industrial sector

In some sectors of the economy, a small number of large companies are responsible for a sizable percentage of total production, especially in vehicle, aerospace and transport equipment industries.

There are approximately 250 British industrial companies, each has an annual turnover of more than 500 mln pounds. British Petroleum (BP) is the 11th largest industrial grouping in the world, and the second largest in Europe. Five British firms are among the leading 25 European Community companies. The largest manufacturing concerns are BAT Industries (tobacco, food products, etc.), Imperial Chemical Industries, Grand Metropolitan (food, drink, etc.), British Aerospace, Unilever (chemicals), Ford, General Electric Company, British Steel, and some others.

Britain is the world's ninth largest oil producer and the fifth largest gas producer. Developing North Sea oil and gas has created a huge support industry offering equipment and services to oil and gas companies at home and abroad. The two leading UK oil companies are BP and Shell.

Producing 80% of Britain's crude steel, British Steel is the fourth biggest steel company in the Western world. Just under half of the total output is exported. The major areas of steel production and processing are in Wales, northern and eastern England, and the British Midlands.

Britain's chemical industry is the third largest in Western Europe, and it exports nearly 50% of pro­duction, making it Britain's single largest export earner. The most rapid growth in recent years has been in pharmaceutical, pesticides and cosmetics..

Britain also has highly developed mechanical engineering and metal goods industries, electrical, electronic and instrument engineering industries, shipbuilding and marine engineering industries, tex­tile, clothing and footwear industries, manufacturing, construction; service and tourism industries.

British agriculture is famous for its efficiency and productivity. It employs about 2.1% of the workforce, and Britain is self-sufficient in 58% of all types of food and animal feed. Britain is a major exporter of agricultural produce, machinery and agrochemicals. Today Britain imports about 42% of its food. Two-thirds of agricultural land is owner-occupied. The fishing industry provides 59% of British fish supplies and employs nearly 17, 000 full-time fishermen.

Decide whether the following statements are true or false:

1. There are fewer farmers in Britain than in other industrially developed countries.

2. In Britain-more people are engaged in manufacturing than in service.

3. Britain not only satisfies her own need in energy but can also export it to other countries.

4. The major concern of the British government is to control the inflation rate.

5. The British government does not encourage privatization in major businesses.

6. Foreign investors regard Britain an attractive location" for their money.

7. Britain is one of the major steel exporters in the world.

8. Britain is self-sufficient in food products and does not have to import much.

9. All the farmland in Britain is privatized.