asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will estimate, with respect to those claimed to be gainfully occupied in manufacturing industries at the latest date for which figures are available, the proportion of those who are so occupied respectively by (a) firms which enjoy any degree of protection on the home market, (b) firms which enjoy incentives of any type for export production, and (c) firms which enjoy neither such protection nor such incentives.

The average number of persons employed in manufacturing industries in the quarter ended 30th June 1964—the latest period for which figures are available—was estimated at 172,900. It is not possible to isolate employment provided by firms which enjoy protection on the home market or incentives for export production. However, it may be taken that a wide range of industries enjoys protection, while the export incentives are, of course, available to any firm which wishes to use them.