HC Deb 12 February 1986 vol 91 cc471-2W
Mr. Holt

asked the Paymaster General (1) how many women were in full-time employment as at 1 January in each of the years 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985;

(2) how many women were in part-time employment as at 1 January in each of the years 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985.

Mr. Lang

The following table gives, for the December preceding each of the dates specified, the numbers of female employees in employment and of females in self employment in Great Britain. Figures are not available for January. Estimates of full-time and part-time female employees are not separately available for dates before 1971, and are available only for June between 1971 and 1977. Estimates of females in full-time and part-time self employment are not separately available.

Females in Employment in Great Britain (thousands)
Employees in Employment
December each year Full time Part time Self Employed All females
1959 n/a n/a 326 7,577
1964 n/a n/a 350 8,349
1969 n/a n/a 368 8,603
*1974 n/a n/a 378 9,407
1979 5,626 3,918 366 9,910
1984 4,963 4,283 614 9,859

n/a Not available.

* The Census of Employment shows 5,512 full time and 3,421 part time female employees in June 1974.

† Self employment figures prior to 1971 are not fully consistent with those for later years.