§ 27. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the total civilian labour force is currently employed in the hotel and catering industry; what is the rate of increase; and what steps he is taking to ensure sufficient recruitment of the right calibre of staff, to stabilise the high turnover rate and generally to improve the image of and conditions of employment within the industry.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithAccording to the most recent Census of Population the numbers employed in the hotel and catering industry accounted for just under 3 per cent. of the civilian labour force.
293WMy Department has recently substantially developed its specialist services for the hotel and catering trades throughout the country and its local employment office managers are ready to give advice to employers with recruitment and training problems. In addition, the assistance of the Department's trained manpower advisers is available to employers with specific manpower problems such as high turnover or absentee rates.