§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the figures published in his Department considerably understate the number of unfilled vacancies; and what proposals he has to record a more accurate figure of unfilled vacancies.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe official statistics are an accurate count of vacancies notified by employers to local offices and remaining unfilled on the day of the count. The movements in the statistics have been found to provide a reliable indicator of changes in the demand for labour.
There would be considerable difficulties in defining the term "vacancy" in a broader way as a basis for statistical measurement in determining when a vacancy exists and in collecting information regularly about all vacancies, so defined, from all types of employers for all types of employment.
Even if these difficulties could be overcome, I am not satisfied that the use of resources for such additional statistical enquiries would be justifiable.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of vacancies filled during the most convenient recent 12-month period; and what percentage of these vacancies had been notified to his Department.
182W
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe total number of engagements of all types of workers in all types of employment during a period cannot be estimated.
§ Mr. Deedesasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the estimated total of unfilled vacancies registered with offices of his Department at the latest convenient date; and what was the corresponding figure for 1965.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsAt 6th July, 1966, 455,028 notified vacancies remained unfilled at Employment Exchanges and Youth Employment Offices in Great Britain. The corresponding figure for 7th July, 1965 was 452,440.