One of tho charactoristies of enapitalism in docline is that along with all its other contradictions oven in the most advanced capitalist countries there are 'backward' rogions. In thoso areas capitalism is incapable of solving the basic economic probloms; unemployment is high, productivity relatively low, and *38ei%1 and political development rotarded. Even tho mighty Unitod States has its 'deop South', Italy has its South, and Britain has Scotland, Wales and Iroland. In constructing a transitional programme, marxists have to pay attontion to these specific cconomic problems, We shall reproduce from tine to time information on these problems. Herewith sone data on the present situation in Northorn Iroland.
The provisional indox of industrial production for Northern Ireland for Iflarch 1962, prepared by the Ministry of Commerce, is 114. (1954 ocquals 100). This is two points lower than the index for February 1962, and four points lower than that for liareh 1961 (evon though this included { oft. Friday). The index nunmbors for the main industrial groups in March 1962 with tho..gncroase oy decrease on j)liarch 1961 shown.in brackots,aro’ Poxtileos ‘113. {=5) 3, Clothing 115 (-14); Engine- ,,oring ond Rots sO) 5 aneda Sage: aad tobaced 123 (47); Timber and furniture N78 (-9); Othor nonufacturing industiins 136%(-1); Construction 104 (plus 5); Gas, clectricity and water 145 (plus 14). ~’