§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the working population in the Province is employed directly by the Government, or in organisations and industries owned wholly or in part by the State; and how that figure compares with the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe Information is not available in the form requested. The number of persons employed in the public sector* was 32 per cent. of the working population in Northern Ireland compared to 27 per cent. in the United Kingdom as a whole in June 1979, the latest date for which comparative information is available. Information showing the numbers of people employed in organisations and industries owned wholly or in part by the State which are not included in the above figures could only be obtained at disproportionate cost and effort.
Note
* As defined in the 'National Accounts Statistics Source and Methods' HMSO 1968 as updated in 'National Income and Expenditure' 1980.