HC Deb 17 March 1980 vol 981 c18W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish figures for 1955, 1965, 1975 and 1979 showing the number of skilled workers in the economy as a percentage of the total work force.

Mr. Jim Lester

The following is the information available:

Percentage of those in employment in Great Britain who are skilled manual workers
1961 25
1966 23
1971 21
1977 20
Note: The 1961, 1966 and 1971 estimates are from the population census for these years. The 1977 estimate is from the general household survey—an annual inquiry in which about 12,000 households a year are interviewed.