HC Deb 13 March 1972 vol 833 c30W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people released from employment when, with output remaining constant, productivity rises by 1 per cent., 2 per cent., 3 per cent., 5 per cent. and 6 per cent. respectively.

Mr. Higgins

The relationship between the growth of productivity and changes in output and employment are complex, and no reliable estimate is possible. On a purely arithmetical basis, assuming output remains constant, and taking the total numbers in employment in June, 1971, each 1 per cent. rise in productivity could be expected to lead to a reduction in employment of about 215,000. The corresponding figure for employment in manufacturing industries would be 84,000.