HC Deb 14 July 1980 vol 988 c456W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the top 20 occupations that have shortages of manpower, including, if necessary, specific categories within general occupation categories.

Mr. Jim Lester

A list of this kind cannot be provided, since there are no clear-cut criteria for shortages. There are shortages in some skilled occupations, notably in a few key skilled engineering trades and in computer-related occupations and shortages are also reported in some less skilled occupations.