§ Mr. Nottasked the Secretary of State for Employment what changes he expects (a) in the total labour force, excluding students in each year between 1974 and 1979; and (b) in the pattern of hours worked per week and number of days taken in holidays over those years.
§ Mr. BoothThe following table shows the projected size of the labour force—excluding students—aged 16 and over in Great Britain in each year between 1974 and 1979 and the annual changes.
GREAT BRITAIN Thousands Total labour force aged 16 and over (excluding students) Annual Changes 1974 … 25,061 1975 … 25,142 +81 1976 … 25,186 +44 1977 … 25,327 +141 1978 … 25475 + 148 1979 … 25,627 + 152 I do not propose to predict the extent and timing of future changes in the pattern of working hours and holidays. Usually such changes are left to negotiations between both sides of industry