§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many women he estimates have lost their jobs as a result of the introduction of automated technology in offices and factories; and how many new jobs he estimates have been created in this process; (2) how many men he estimates have lost their jobs as a result of the introduction of automated technology in (a) offices and (b) factories; and how many new jobs he estimates have been created in this process.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1980, c. 558]: It is impossible to make the estimates requested. Figures are not collected either for job losses or for job gains resulting from new technology. Causes of job losses and gains are often complex involving factors other than new technology.