HC Deb 13 April 1972 vol 834 cc221-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the footwear manufacturing industries in Great Britain in the years 1951, 1961, 1971, and 1972; and how he estimates Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will affect these figures.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The mid-year estimated numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain in the footwear manufacturing industry for 1951, 1961 and 1971 were 123,500, 118,100 and 95,300 respectively. The latest provisional estimate is 94,700 at January, 1972. The figures, however, are not strictly comparable because of some discontinuities during the period.

I would hope that Britain's entry into the E.E.C. will result in an increase in our exports of footwear to other member countries and will therefore be beneficial to employment in the industry.

Following is the information:

Estimated numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain in footwear industry
(Thousands)
June, 1951 123.5
June, 1959 (a) 111.9
(b) 112.8
June 1961 118.1
June 1964 (a) 113.2
(b) 113.8
June, 1966 (a) 106.5
(b) 106.9
June, 1969 (a) 96.7
(b) 101.7
June, 1971 95.3
January 1972 (provisional) 94.7
Notes:
(1) The estimates are analysed according to the Standard Industrial Classification. The 1948 edition was used for the June, 1951 and June, 1959 (a) estimates, the 1958 edition from June, 1959 (b) to June 1969 (a) and the 1968 edition from June 1969 (6).
(2) The estimates for June 1964 (b) and later dates are on a revised basis of calculation and are not strictly comparable with the estimates for June 1964 (a) and earlier dates.
(3) Between June 1966 and June 1967 the industrial classifications of many establishments were corrected. The estimates for June 1966 are shown on both bases, that is (a) excluding and (b) including the effects of reclassification.