HC Deb 26 November 1986 vol 106 cc249-50W
Mr. Frank Field

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing quarterly levels and changes in the United Kingdom employed labour force since 1979, together with the estimated average hours worked by each category of workers and the

Mr. Lee

While accurate information is not available, small firms probably account for around 96 per cent. of the 1.4 million firms registered for VAT in the United Kingdom.

In June 1986 and estimated 2.7 million people in the United Kingdom were in self-employment, some of whom will have been in firms registered for VAT. In all, small firms probably provide employment for over one quarter of the employed labour force.