HC Deb 22 January 1975 vol 884 cc365-6W
Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people employed in the administration of local government in England and Wales in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1970, 1964 and 1954, respectively.

Mr. John Fraser

The following table shows the estimated number of employees in employment in local government service, Minimum List Heading 906 of the Standard Industrial Classification, at June each year. For June 1971 and earlier dates the estimates are based on counts of national insurance cards. From June 1971 the figures are from the annual censuses of employment and the most recent are for June 1973.

Employees in employment in local government service in England and Wales
June 1954 661,400
June 1959 (a) 708,300
June 1959 (b) 664,000
June 1964 (a) 678,300
June 1964 (b) 680,000
June 1966 (a) 718,200
June 1966 (b) 717,200
June 1969 (a) 743,700
June 1969 (b) 745,200
June 1970 766,200
June 1971 (a) 782,000
June 1971 (b) 820,300
June 1972 845,000
June 1973 867,300

NOTES. The estimates for June 1954 and June 1959 (a) are based on the 1948 edition of the Standard Industrial Classification; those from June 1959 (b) to June 1969 (a) are based on the 1958 edition and those from June 1969 (b) on the 1968 edition.

The estimates from June 1964 (b) are based on a revised method of calculation.

Between June 1966 and June 1967 the Industrial classification of many establishments were corrected. The estimates for June 1966 are shown (a) excluding and (b) including the effects of reclassifications.

The estimates for June 1974 (a) and earlier dates are based on counts of national insurance cards. The figures from June 1974 (b) are from the annual censuses of employment.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average earnings of people employed in the administration of local government in England and Wales in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1970, 1964 and 1954; and if he will express these in terms of 1954 prices and 1954 average industrial earnings respectively.

Mr. Booth

Information is not available in the form requested from my Department's surveys of earnings. New Earnings Survey results giving average weekly earnings for a reference pay period in April from 1970 onwards, but not for 1954 and 1964, for certain broad groups of local authority employees are available if required.