§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the numbers of people employed in manufacturing, in its broadest definition, in 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1974; what estimates he has made for 1980 and 1990; and what proportion these figures represent of the total working population.
§ Mr. John FraserI have been asked to reply.
The numbers employed in the manufacturing industries in Great Britain, and the percentages these estimates represent of the total working population, are available on a comparable basis for the years 1960, 1970 and 1974. Estimates refer to mid-year.
Year Numbers employed (thousands) Previous column expressed as a percentage of the total working population 1960 … 8,341 34.8 1970 … 8,284 33.5 1974 … 7,831 31.2 No forecasts are available for 1980 or 1990. Projections by a group of research workers for 1981, published in the Department of Employment Gazette for May of this year, suggest that, on certain assumptions, including an unemployment rate of 2 per cent. for 1981, the numbers employed in manufacturing industries might be around 7,650,000, which represents some 29½ per cent. of 211W the total working population expected in 1981.