HC Deb 30 January 1987 vol 109 c431W
Mr. Pike

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of those available for work in 1979 in the north-west had been previously employed in manufacturing industries; and what is his latest comparable figure.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The available information from the labour force survey indicates that 42 per cent. of those without a job who were available for work in the north-west region in the spring of 1979 and whose previous industry could be identified had previously left a job in manufacturing industry. The latest labour force survey estimate, for spring 1985, was 30 per cent., although this is not fully comparable.