LONDON (AFX) - The index registering permanent job placements by recruitment agencies was at 44.8 in October compared to 45.9 in September, according to a Recruitment and Employment Confederation monthly survey. This is the sharpest rate of decline in permanent staff placements since the survey began in October 1997. Falling demand for staff from employers resulted in a drop in employment levels for the fourth successive month in September, REC said. The survey showed that permanent salaries index fell to 51.8 in October from 52.9 in September. Falling for the seventh month running, the rate of growth of permanent salaries remained the weakest in the REC survey's four-year history and well down on the rate seen at the start of the year, it added. Meanwhile demand for temporary and contract staff picked up marginally to 51.9 in October versus 51.7 the previous month. Growth of temporary pay rates was the weakest since March 1999.