HC Deb 09 December 1988 vol 143 cc374-5W
Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the staffing levels for the electricity supply industry for each financial year from 1979–80 to 1988–89; and what is the planned level for 1989–90.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The number of staff employed by the electricity supply industry of England and Wales in post on 31 March of each year from March 1979 to March 1988 and the planned levels for March 1989 and 1990 are as follows:

Year Total Staff (all grades)
Outturn1
March
1979 159,825
1980 158,780
1981 154,910
1982 146,655
1983 141,385
1984 137,210
1985 133,718
1986 131,446
1987 131,087
1988 130,217
Planned2
March
1989 130,200
1990 129,580
1 Data from the Handbook of Electricity Supply Industry Statistics, published by The Electricity Council.
2 Industry forecasts.