HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 cc66-7W
Mr. English

asked the Prime Minister whether she proposes to correct her answer, Official Report, 2 June 1981, col 773, on the proportion of the population in work in European countries; and whether she will give the figures for all European countries, including Sweden, Switzerland and the East European countries.

The Prime Minister

In answering the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Foot), I was referring to the countries of the European Community. The full figures for those countries are as follows:

Civilian Employment as a Percentage of the Population 1980 (unless otherwise stated)
European Community countries: Per cent.
United Kingdom 44
Belgium 38(1)
Denmark 49(1)
France 39
Germany (FR) 41
Greece 34(2)
European Community countries: Per cent.
Irish Republic 31 (1)
Italy 36
Luxembourg 43(1)
Netherlands 35 (1)

Figures on a comparable basis are not available for Eastern European countries. Those for Switzerland and Sweden are as follows:

Per Cent
Switzerland 46(2)
Sweden 51

Sources: OECD—Labour Force Statistics—Economic Surveys

Notes: (1) —1979 (2) —1978