§ Lord VAIZEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many actors, actresses, directors and other persons engaged in theatrical, cinema and television work were in employment, and how many were registered as unemployed, in 1975, 1976 and 1977.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYSeparate information for actors, actresses, directors and other persons engaged in theatrical, cinema and television work is not available. It is estimated that, during the period 1975–1977, about 30,000 to 40,000 people were at work in the following occupations:
- actors, singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and other entertainment performers musical composers and choreographers; directors, producers, managers, and related occupations in the performing, audio and visual arts.
The number of unemployed people registered at employment offices as seeking work in the above occupations was:
1148WA
June 1975 3,976 June 1976 4,955 June 1977 5,643 The above figures exclude teachers specialising in the arts, though it is known that there is movement from teaching to performing and vice-versa, which may affect the way in which individuals describe their work at different times.