§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentages of the total male and total female population of Great Britain were gainfully occupied in 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1965, 1966 and 1967; and what percentages these figures constituted, respectively, of the total male and total female population over school-leaving age.
§ Mr. SnowI have been asked to reply.
The following table, derived from the censuses of population, shows the information for years as near as possible to those referred to in the Question.
GREAT BRITAIN Gainfully occupied* as percentage of total population Gainfully occupied* as percentage of total over school-leaving age-† Year Males Females Males Females 1901 65 20 84 26 1911 65 26 88 34 1921 67 26 92 34 1931 69 27 91 34 1941 Not available‡ Not available‡ 1951 67 27 88 35 1961 65 29 87 38 1966 63 33 84 42 Notes: *Data on gainful occupation relate to population aged 10 and over in 1901 and 1911; aged 12 and over in 1921; aged 14 and over in 1931; aged 15 and over in 1951, 1961 and 1966. †The school-leaving age was 12 in 1901 and 1911; 14 in 1921 and 1931; and 15 in 1951, 1961 and 1966. ‡There was no census of population in this war year.