§ 22. Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of lone mothers with dependent children were in work in 1979; and what percentage are currently in work.
§ Miss WiddecombeIn spring 1981, the earliest date available, the labour force survey showed that 45 per cent. of lone mothers of working age with dependent children were in employment. The current figure, for spring 1994, is 39 per cent. During the period 1981–1994 the numbers of lone mothers in employment increased from 350,000 to 440,000.