HC Deb 17 June 1985 vol 81 cc15-6W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for employment in the United Kingdom merchant fleet; and how this compares with the equivalent figure in 1965 and 1975, respectively.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following table gives, for the dates specified, the estimated number of employees in employment in the sea transport industry in the United Kingdom. The Department's employment statistics are analysed according to the standard industrial classification (SIC) which does not identify the merchant fleet as such. The figures for June 1965 are for minimum list heading 705 of the 1968 SIC and those for December 1984 are for class 74 of the 1980 SIC. The date for June 1975 is given on both bases.

Sea transport—United Kingdom
Number of employees
1968 SIC—minimum list heading 705
June 1965 115,000
June 1975 88,000
1980 SIC—Class 74
June 1975 86,000
December 1984 38,000