§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the figures for the female employment activity rate in the regions of England for the periods 1979–80 and 1980–81.
§ Mr. Peter Morrisonthe latest estimates of economic activity rates for females in the regions of England are for 1979 and are as follows:
Region Female activity rate 1979* Per cent. North 45.3 Yorkshire and Humberside 46.3 East Midlands 47.2 East Anglia 45.3 South-East 47.6 South-West 43.9 West Midlands 49.0 North-West 48.2 * The percentage of the female population aged 16 and over which is in the labour force, i.e. working or seeking work.