§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, column 861, what is his assessment of the reasons for the fall in the number of hours worked; and what effect he expects economic recovery to have on this fall.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe fall in total hours worked by manufacturing operatives since 1989 is due to two main factors. First, a short-term, cyclical fall in demand for labour due to the economic recession. Secondly, the longer-term movement of jobs away from manufacturing and into services. The Department does not forecast changes in hours worked.