§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement as to the number of people leaving Northern Ireland each year on a permanent basis; and if he will undertake a study in this field, in particular to examine the professions and trades of those involved.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThis information is not available in the precise form requested, but it is possible to calculate the population loss which may be presumed to be due to emigration. On this basis there was between April 1961 and October 1966 a net loss of about 6,900 people per year and between October 1966 and April 1971 a net loss of about 7,300 per year.
The feasibility of obtaining information about the trade or profession of emigrants is being considered.