HC Deb 05 April 1977 vol 929 c419W
Mr. Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of self-employed in Scotland in the last five years.

Mr. Golding

Following is the information available about the numbers of self employed persons working on their own account—with or without employees—in Scotland in each of the years from 1970 to 1974, the latest date for which these estimates have been compiled:

1970 … … … 138,000
1971 … … … 139,000
1972 … … … 137,000
1973 … … … 139,000
1974 … … … 137,000

Mr. Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the 10 principal categories in which self-employed persons are to be found.

Mr. Golding

The 1971 Census of Population shows that the following ten occupations were those in which most self-employed persons* in Scotland were to to found:

  • Shop Proprietors.
  • Farmers, Farm Managers, Market Gardeners.
  • Proprietors of Boarding Houses and Hotels.
  • Clergy, Ministers, Members of Religious Orders.
  • Hairdressers, Manicurists, Beauticians.
  • Carpenters and Joiners.
  • Restaurateurs.
  • Painters, Decorators.
  • Drivers of Taxis and the like.
  • Medical Practitioners (Qualified).

* Working on their own account (with or without employees).