asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent non-productive employment has increased in the period 1974 to 1976 at the expense of productive employment in private and public sectors combined.

Between June 1974 and June 1976 the numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain decreased by 636,000 in Index of Production industries—manufacturing, mining and quarrying, construction, gas, electricity and water—and increased by 337,00 in other industries. Figures for June 1976 are provisional.