§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the number of jobs lost in manufacturing since 1970, 1973, 1979 and 1988, respectively; and what is his estimate of the number of jobs in each case lost as a result of (i) lack of training and (ii) lack of capital investment.
Mr. JacksonThe number of employees in employment in manufacturing in the United Kingdom at June 1991 has fallen by:
Since Number 1970 3,456,000 1973 2,959,000 1979 2,375,000 1988 332,000 It is not possible to estimate the causes underlying the falls, but manufacturing has accounted for a declining share of total employment in most other industrial countries over the last twenty years, and has seen substantial increases in output per employee over the period.
§ Mr. LeeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the level of employment in the United Kingdom apparel, knitting and textile industries (classes 26, 43, 453 and 455; including Northern Ireland) at September 1988, September 1989, September 1990 and September 1991.
Mr. JacksonEstimates of employees in employment in the apparel, knitting and textile industries in the United Kingdom are only available at census of employment dates. The following table shows Great Britain estimates for the dates requested together with United Kingdom estimates for the latest two censuses.
Employees in employment Apparel, knitting and textile industries (SIC 26, 43, 453 and 455) Thousands Great Britain1 United Kingdom September 1987 511.2 508.6 September 1988 509.1 — September 1989 477.7 476.5 September 1990 456.0 — June 1991 429.1 — 1 The Great Britain figures include: (i) group 255, manufacture of paints, varnishes and printing ink, and; (ii) activity heading 4560, manufacture of fur goods.