asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the total population of working age, excluding those in full-time education, is currently employed; and how that figure compares with 1972, 1962, 1952 and any earlier relevant dates for which figures can be made available.

Figures of the employed labour force as a proportion of the population of working age—excluding those in full-time education—are given for Great Britain, mid-year, in the table.

	Per cent.
1951	75·2
1961	79·0
1961	77·1
1971	78·0
1981	73·2
1982 (March)	70·8

The readily available information relates mainly to years in which there was a census of population. The population of working age is defined as males aged 15–64 and females aged 15–59 for 1971 and earlier years, and to those aged 16–64 and 16–59 respectively for later years. The method of making employment estimates changed after 1951 and two figures are given for 1961 where there is a discontinuity in the series.