§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage rate of decline in the number of registered dock labour scheme employees since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe total of registered dockworkers declined from 25,770 at the end of 1979 to 9,945 at the end of 1987, a reduction of 61 per cent. This has been achieved through voluntary severances with Government financial assistance.