HC Deb 02 August 1966 vol 733 cc76-7W
Mr. Hazell

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish figures showing the ages of new entrants into agricultural industry for 1955 and 1965 by counties and by region.

Mr. Gunter

The only information collected by my Department about new entrants into agriculture and horticulture, or any other industry, relates to young persons aged under 18 years entering their first employment after leaving school.

Figures for counties are not available. The following tables give regional figures for 1955 and 1965 in respect of new entrants into agriculture and horticulture for the regions as constituted at the reference dates. Changes in regional boundaries between the two years do not substantially affect comparability for regions of the same name and the 1955 figures for Midland, North Midland and East and West Ridings, taken together, are roughly comparable with the sum of the 1965 figures for Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside.

Following is the information by region for 1955:

Since 1961, an age analysis is available only for all industries and services as a whole. Following is the information for agriculture and horticulture for 1965 relating to all new entrants aged under 18 years.

Region Total aged under 18 years
London and South Eastern 1,463
Eastern and Southern 3,066
Southwestern 2,253
Midlands 2,921
Yorkshire and Humberside 1,465
North Western 1,495
Northern 1,390
Scotland 1,970
Wales 1,159
Total—Great Britain 17,182