HC Deb 23 October 1979 vol 972 cc132-3W
Mr. Stuart Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the figures for 1948, 1958, 1968 and 1978, or nearest years for the ratio of total workers in productive employment in manufacturing industry to the total economically active population excluding agriculture, forestries and fishing in the nine countries of the European Community.

Mr. Jim Lester

Comparable international data are not obtainable in the precise form requested. The available figures for the United Kingdom are given below:

Production and maintenance workers in manufacturing as a percentage of the working

EMPLOYEES IN MANUFACTURING AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE POPULATION EXCLUDING EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING
Nearest year to 1948 1958 1968 1977
Belgium 37 (1947) 31 30 25
Denmark .. .. .. 20
France 26 (1946) 31 29 (1969) 26
Germany (Federal Republic) *35 (1950) 37 38 34
Irish Republic 15 (1946) 23 24 22
Netherlands 25 (1947) 29 26 21
United Kingdom 38 (1950) 39 34 29
Notes:
* Employees in manufacturing including some quarrying activities.
. . Not available.

Sources:

OECD—Manpower Statistics 1954–64, Labour Force Statistics 1966–67.

ILO—Year Book of Labour Statistics.