HC Deb 10 May 1990 vol 172 cc218-9W
Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total number of persons engaged in (i) agriculture, (ii) steel industry, (iii) coal mining, (iv) the car industry, (v) the electrical goods industry, (vi) local government and (vii) the National Health Service in 1979 and 1989, showing the percentage increase or decrease in each case.

Mr. Nicholls

The Department's estimates of employment are categorised according to the 1980 standard industrial classification (SIC80). This classification does not specifically identify the industries requested.

Medical and other health services (SIC80 groups 951, 952, 953 and 954) covers the National Health Service along with other employers.

Employees in employment—Great Britain
Thousands (unadjusted for seasonal variation)
Industries (SIC80) June 1979 June 1989 Change Percentage change
Agriculture and horticulture (class 01) 339 263 -77 -22.6
Coal extraction and manufacture of solid fuels (group 111) 299 102 -198 -66.0
Manufacture of motor vehicles and parts (class 35) 464 268 -196 -42.2
Electrical and electronic engineering (class 34) 752 548 -204 -27.1
Local government service not elsewhere specified (activity 9112) 662 570 -91 -13.8
Medical and other health services (group 951, 952, 953 and 954) 1,170 1,386 216 18.5