§ 57. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average total size of the work force in manufacturing industry in 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively; and what he estimates will be the corresponding figures for 1971 and 1972.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe total of those in employment in Great Britain, classified to the manufacturing sector at June of each year, were:
1968 … … … 8,613,000 1969 … … … 8,729,000 These estimates are on the 1958 Standard Industrial Classification Basis. On the basis of the 1968 Standard Industrial Classifications the estimates are:
1969 … … … 8,741,000 1970 … … … 8,727,000 My Department, like the last Administration, is not prepared to give short-term forecasts of the future level of employment.