Figures for the wider economy, both in Germany, France and the eurozone as a whole, also showed a deeper contraction.

BBC: Stock markets shake off higher borrowing costs

That contrasted with a contraction in the UK economy as a whole of 0.3% during the same period.

BBC: Scottish unemployment down by 11,000

That contrasts with a contraction in the UK economy as a whole of 0.3% during the same period.

BBC: Scottish economy grows by 0.5%

The ONS gives its final estimates for growth in June, and if other parts of the economy remain unchanged, the economy as a whole would register zero growth, rather than a contraction of 0.1%.

BBC: Construction site

Even Thailand's central bank is forecasting a contraction of 6-7% for 1998 as a whole.

ECONOMIST: The Thai slump