HL Deb 01 December 1987 vol 490 cc928-9

2.50 p.m.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the increased number of jobs in service industries during the last 12 months derives from expansion in manufacturing industry.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, the employment statistics do not indicate how much service sector employment depends upon manufacturing. However, manufacturing industry buys a significant share of service sector output—14 per cent. in 1979. Undoubtedly, therefore, the recent very strong growth of manufacturing output has contributed to the increase of 365,000 service sector employees in the year to June 1987.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. However, will he agree that the way in which the figures are compiled is somewhat out of date having regard to the changes that are taking place in the economy, both in service and manufacturing industries?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, it is difficult when gathering such statistics to determine to what sector the output of a service sector employee is related. For example, there are no doubt many service sector employees whose work is of benefit both to their own sector and to the manufacturing sector. Apportioning that output is difficult in terms of gathering statistics. However, we keep such matters under review. I understand that a new set of statistics relating to 1984 is expected in a few months' time; I shall see if it can be conveyed to the noble Baroness.

Baroness Turner of Camden

My Lords, does the Minister agree that there are still unexpectedly high levels of male unemployment in those areas which were formerly dominated by heavy manufacturing industries? Should more special steps be taken to assist in that situation?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I certainly agree that in some areas which formerly relied on what we have come to call the traditional heavy industries unemployment remains at an unacceptably high level. The Government have spent something approaching £3 billion per annum on various schemes to help in those difficult areas. It is gratifing to see the general level of unemployment coming down so sharply.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, has the noble Lord noticed that before there is any other form of rise in employment there is a marked rise in the employment of personnel officers? The noble Baroness, Lady Seear, will be well aware of that. Naturally, employment officers have to be employed before anyone else can be taken on. Has the Minister noticed that that particular rise is going rather fast at the moment?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I am not sure that it is always necessary to have a personnel officer before employing others. Nonetheless, I am happy to see a rise in employment, in whatever sector it may occur.