HC Deb 10 May 1995 vol 259 cc462-3W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of 16 to 24 year-olds in West Cumbria is in full-time employment. [22735]

Mr. Paice

The information requested is not available for West Cumbria. However, estimates from the autumn 1994 labour force survey show that in the north region, excluding Tyne and Wear, 41 per cent. of 16 to 24-year-olds were in full-time employment.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state for each February since 1979 the number of males aged 50 to 65 years in full-time employment; and what percentage this is of the relevant population. [18084]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 4 April 1995]: The information requested is shown in the following table:

Males aged 50 to 65 in full-time employment Great Britain 1979–19941
Spring Numbers (000s) Per cent.
1979 3,298 71
1981 2,882 62
1983 3,087 67
1984 3,016 65
1985 2,955 64
1986 2,859 62
Males aged 50 to 65 in full-time employment Great Britain 1979–19941
Spring Numbers (000s) Per cent.
1987 2,773 61
1988 2,810 62
1989 2,833 63
1990 2,825 63
1991 2,752 62
1992 2,636 59
1993 2,538 56
1994 2,376 57
Source:
Labour Force Survey (LFS).
Note:
1 Information not collected for 1980 or 1982.

The fall in the proportion of men aged 50 to 64 in full-time employment reflects several factors, including an increase in the numbers taking early retirement. The spring 1994 labour force survey showed that, of those who were economically inactive, three quarters said that they did not want a job.