§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the proportion of manual workers in the working population, divided into skilled, semiskilled and unskilled; what was the similar figure for 10 years ago; and what estimate he has made of the future trend.
§ Mr. BryanThe New Earnings Survey shows that nearly 60 per cent. of employees were in manual occupations in April, 1971. These surveys have only been held in recent years and a corresponding 1961 figure cannot be given.
In the 1971 Census of Population about 50 per cent. of the economically active population, including employers, self-employed, Armed Forces and unemployed, were classified as manual workers. In the 1966 sample Census the proportion was about 48 per cent. 1971 results are not yet available, but the proportion may be expected to fall gradually. About five in every 10 manual workers were in skilled occupations, three in semiskilled and two in unskilled occupations in both 1961 and 1966.