HC Deb 25 March 2002 vol 382 cc713-4W
Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the rural work force were employed in(a) agriculture, (b) rural tourism, (c) rural public sector and (d) rural private sector jobs by category in each year since 1990; and if she will make a statement. [42912]

Alun Michael

The table identifies the proportion of the rural work force employed in agriculture, tourism, public sector and private sector in England between 1995 and 2000. Data are not available for other years.

(a) Agriculture (b) Tourism (c) Public sector (d) Private sector
1995 25 26 49
1996 24 26 49
1997 5 23 25 48
1998 3 23 26 48
1999 3 22 26 49
2000 3 24 26 48

Notes:

1. Agriculture—agriculture and fishing from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups. Data for 1995 and 1996 are not available on a comparable basis.

2. Tourism—distribution, hotels and restaurants from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups (best proxy measure). There are no data specifically on rural tourism.

3. Public sector—public administration, education and health from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups.

4. Private sector—other six categories within SIC 1992.

5. Rural areas are defined as the rural local authority districts and unitary authorities as classified by the Rural Development Commission and currently used by the Countryside Agency.

Sources:

1995–97 data from Annual Employment Survey via NOMIS.

1998–2000 data from Annual Business Inquiry via NOMIS.