HC Deb 05 December 1961 vol 650 cc1122-3
16. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will give an estimate of the number of scientists employed on defence, and of those employed in industry, education, health and other civil services.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an approximate indication of how many are employed on defence and how many on the other services?

Mr. Freeth

Out of a total employment of 173,000 qualified scientists or equivalent in January 1959, which is the latest date for which I have figures, defence took 20,000.

Mr. S. Silverman

Why has not the hon. Gentleman got figures for a later

The most recent estimates relate to January, 1959:—
Field of Employment Scientists Engineers Total
Defence Not available Not available 20,000
Private Industry (Notes 1 and 2) 24,254 51,975 76,229
Education 29,080 4,570 33,650
Central Government (Notes 2 and 3) 8,478 10,624 19,102
Total Employment 72,200 100,800 173,000
(Source: "Scientific and Engineering Manpower in Great Britain, 1959 " Cmnd. 902)
NOTE 1: Including building and contracting.
NOTE 2: The estimates relating to defence include scientists and engineers engaged on defence projects in private industry and central government, as well as in the Armed Forces. Separate figures for the health services are not distinguished.
NOTE 3: The A.E.A. is covered by this heading.
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