§ Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what increases in the numbers of office workers employed in central London, and what movement of employers of office workers to places outside London, have taken place in recent years.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend regrets that no exact figures are available. A comparison of the results of the 1961 Census with those of the 1951 Census should enable an assessment to be made of the increase in office workers in central London; meanwhile, it is estimated that total employment in central London has been growing at an annual rate of 15–20,000 in recent years, and it is known that offices account for over half the total employment. Local planning authorities are receiving an increasing number of applications for permission to build office blocks in the suburbs and beyond.