HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc92-3W
Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the female activity rate nationally and in the Bolton travel-to-work area at the latest convenient date; whether he is satisfied with the accuracy of these figures; and what purpose is served by their compilation.

Mr. John Fraser

The following female activity rates have been calculated from the results of the Census of Population. carried out in April 1971:

Great Britain 42.7 per cent.
Bolton travel-to-work area 46.1 per cent.

The figures are derived from a 100 per cent. enumeration of the population and I have no reason to doubt their accuracy. Activity rates are used to assess trends in the size of the labour force in relation to the population.