HC Deb 16 June 1981 vol 6 c306W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the employee activity rate for women, men and both combined, respectively, in (a) England and (b) Wales for each year since 1971.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The latest available estimate of economic activity rates—employed plus unemployed—of males, females and all persons in England and in Wales for the years 1971, 1975, 1977 and 1979 are given in the table below. Estimates for other years are not available.

Activity Rates*
1971 1975 1977† 1979†
Per cent
Males
England 81 80 79 78
Wales 79 79 76 75
Females
England 43 46 48 47
Wales 36 40 43 41
All persons
England 62 62 63 62
Wales 56 58 59 58

* The percentage of population aged 16 and over who are in the civilian labour force. The 1971 figures are based on the census of population and those for 1975–79 on the biennial EC labour force survey adjusted to be comparable with census of population coverage and definitions. Results from this survey are subject to sampling errors; small differences in the results, therefore, may not be significant.

† Provisional.