Construction orders in the second quarter of this year fell from the heights of January-March, which was the busiest quarter for three years.

Second quarter orders were 16% lower than those of the first quarter and 12% below the levels of the second quarter last year.

Private commercial orders were 23% lower in the second quarter than the first and 20% lower than last year.

The 2001 edition of Construction Statistics Annual is now available on the DTI website and can be bought (quote ref URN:01/285) for £45 from the DTI publications order line: