HC Deb 12 June 1979 vol 968 c196W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of self-employed people in Great Britain at the present time; and what are the corresponding figures for the last five years.

Mr. Jim Lester

The estimated number of self-employed persons (with or without employees) in Great Britain in each of the years 1971 to 1975 (the latest year for which information is available) are given in the following table. Estimates for 1976 and 1977 will be published later this year.

Great Britain—Number of self-employed (with or without employees)
thousands
1971 1,842
1972 1,835
1973 1,884
1974 1,864
1975 1,825