Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what plans are at present being discussed to obtain the additional 300,000 workers required by the National Plan by 1970; and what consideration is being given to obtaining a substantial proportion of this labour force from Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. FoleyThe National Plan requires productivity to increase at an average rate of 3.4 per cent. a year up to 1970. This compares with the increase expected by industry of 3.2 per cent. a year. The difference is the equivalent of 200,000 workers (not 300,000 as stated by the hon. Member) and is called the "manpower gap" in the National Plan. Action is being taken as set out in the Plan, and summarised on pages 18, 19 and 20, to obtain the extra increase in productivity needed to "close this gap". The Government's policy on Commonwealth immigration remains as stated in the White Paper "Immigration from the Commonwealth" published in August (Cmnd. 2739).