WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS (Number in employment in March and September 1961)

Mr David Marshall asked the, Minister for Labour what was the total number of (i) workmen, (ii) shop assistants and (iii) clerks who were in employment in March and September 1961, respectively.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, in accordance with the returns submitted by employers under the Labour Ordinance, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance and the Clerks Employment Ordinance for the year 1961, the total number of workmen, shop assistants and clerks who were in employment on 30th March, 1961, and 30th September, 1961, were as follows: Shop Workmen Assistants Clerks March 1961 106,000 21,959 21,974 September 1961 111,450 22,798 23,325

Mr David Marshall: If it please you. Mr Speaker, Sir, could I put a supplementary question?

Mr Speaker: Yes, certainly.

Mr David Marshall: I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he can give any explanation why there has been a steady drop in employment of manual, workers since March 1961, which seems to have been the peak.

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, from the statistics, it is to the contrary.

Mr David Marshall: 106,000.

Mr Speaker: Order.

Mr Wee Toon Boon: You are referring to 1961 and 1960?

Mr Speaker: I am not interested at all. Perhaps the Member for Anson would like to elaborate on his supplementary question?

Mr David Marshall: Yes, Sir, only to draw attention and to ask this question. Can he explain why in March 1956 it was 124,600, and it went down in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961 progressively to 123,000, 118,000, 114,000, 107,000, and now 106,000. 18,600 less manual workers employed in these seven years?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I require further notice of that question as I do not have all the details with me now.