§ 78 and 79. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he intends to take steps to prevent the transfer of work from Scotland to England;
1553 (2) whether, as a result of the investigation made by the Commissioner concerning the depressed areas in Scotland, he has any proposals to put before the House?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)Scotland has shared in the general improvement in employment in recent years and cases of transference of establishments have been relatively few. The work of the Commissioner for the special areas is being developed and extended along the lines indicated in his report, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Proposals are under discussion for amalgamation of the Scottish National Development Council and the Scottish Travel Association and for the development of the work of the united body for the promotion of industry and the tourist traffic in Scotland.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that works at Rather-glen, Wishaw and Coatbridge have been brought south?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir C. MacANDREWDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this tendency might be checked by a reform of the Scottish rating system?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo, Sir; but that is another question which I cannot answer at the moment. In reply to the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie) I would say that it must be borne in mind that the number of persons in insurable employment in Scotland shows an increase of 113,000 in comparison with three years ago.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANIs not the additional number in insurable employment accounted for by the number of young persons between 14 and 16 years of age who are now under the insurance scheme?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo, Sir. The numbers which I quoted cover the ages, 16 to 64 and refer to the month of October in the years 1932 to 1935, and there is an increase of 113,000.