HC Deb 25 January 1974 vol 867 cc387-8W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage the mortality of unskilled workers exceeds that of professional workers.

Mr. Alison

The Occupational Mortality Supplement based on the 1961 Census of Population in England and Wales gave the mortality of men aged 15 to 64 in unskilled occupations as nearly 90 per cent. above the corresponding figure for professional occupations. This figure, though allowing for differences in the two age distributions, is subject to a margin of error because the mortality rates reflect the occupation reported at death which for example may not have been the deceased's main occupation during his life. A similar figure for 1971 is not yet available.