HC Deb 27 June 1985 vol 81 c467W
Mr. Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many new jobs have been created in high technology industries since 1977.

Mr. Alan Clark

Information about job gains and job losses is not available from the Department's statistics, but an indication of the net changes can be seen by comparing levels of employees in employment at different dates.

Between June 1977 and March 1985 the number of employees in employment in Great Britain in high technology industries, as defined below, increased by an estimated 8,000. The Department's employment estimates are analysed according to the 1980 standard industrial classification (SIC). There is no standard definition of high technology industries; the following industries have been included in arriving at the estimate given. Group 330— Manufacture of office machinery and data processing equipment. Activity Heading 3441— Telegraph and telephone apparatus and equipment. Activity Heading 3442— Electrical instruments and control systems. Activity Heading 3443— Radio and electronic capital goods.

Mr. Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the average wage in high technology industries; and how this figure compares with average earnings in traditional manufacturing and service industries.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult employees in each major industry in April 1984 are published in table X2 of part B of the "New Earnings Survey 1984". A copy is in the Library. Separate details are given for the main industries affected by high-technology, such as telecommunication equipment, electrical measuring equipment and electronic capital goods and components, and aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing, together with other industries and services.