However, in private housing, orders were 10% lower than in September-November 1999, and public housing and housing association orders were 20% down. Private industrial orders experienced a 22% drop compared with 1999.
The overall value of orders in the three months to November 2000 was £5.89bn, compared with £5.49bn in the same period last year, and £6.82bn in June-August.
Figures for housebuilding starts show a 12% drop year on year, with 39 500 homes started.