HC Deb 20 February 1967 vol 741 cc1124-5
8. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Fourth Report of the Estimates Committee on Government Statistical Services recommends that his Department should be responsible for collecting manpower statistics on an occupational as well as an industry basis; and whether he will seek powers to carry out this recommendation.

Mr. Hattersley

My right hon. Friend has adequate powers, and the Ministry already collects some manpower statistics on an occupational basis. Occupational statistics for manufacturing industries and part of the distributive trades are obtained from annual surveys. The extended Family Expenditure Survey will provide improved statistics for broad occupational groups. Other occupational statistics are available through other Ministries. Surveys being made by industrial training boards will provide additional information. We are considering whether we can provide more occupational statistics.

Mr. Marquand

Yes, but is my hon. Friend aware that we still do not have adequate statistics of earnings by occupation and that this is one of the major obstacles, among others, to the efficient working of the prices and incomes policy? Will he ensure that something is done about that?

Mr. Hattersley

I accept some of the problems which my hon. Friend mentions. That is why the final sentence of my Answer promised to review the present position.

Sir K. Joseph

Apart from the prices and incomes policy, will the hon. Gentleman accept that there have been widespread criticisms, the most recent in the Economist of 11th February, of the whole of the statistical services of the Ministry? Will he undertake that his right hon. Friend will consider these services and not suddenly reproduce, as last year, a discovery of a quarter of a million extra workers who had not been known to exist?

Mr. Hattersley

I believe that the last sentence of my original Answer made that clear, but I suspect that the right hon. Gentleman would be among the first to complain if we asked industry for statistics which it was reluctant to give.

9. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will seek powers to improve the statistical information available to him with respect to the employment of coloured workers, particularly in skilled jobs.

Mr. Fernyhough

No, Sir. I do not think it would be right to ask employers to differentiate between coloured and other workers in their staff records.

Mr. Marquand

Is my hon. Friend aware that, almost universally, people in this field—all immigrant organisations, for example—allege that there is considerable racial discrimination against coloured workers in skilled jobs, particularly clerical jobs, notably in insurance and banking? Is he aware that unless there are proper statistics, it is impossible to find out whether these allegations are true?

Mr. Fernyhough

I am sure that my hon. Friend will be aware that it would not be in keeping with the Government's policy of seeking to promote integration by racial equality if we asked employers to make clear in their records the colour and country of origin of a worker.