§ 1. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the amount of direct employment provided in the Scottish Special Areas as a result of financial assistance from the Special Areas Fund?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)I regret that it is not possible to supply this information. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour pointed out in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Blaydon Division (Mr. Whiteley) on the filth instant the purpose of the Special Areas Act is not to provide direct employment but to stimulate the economic recovery of the areas and so improve employment prospects.
§ Mr. MathersCannot even an approximate indication be given of the effect of the Special Areas Commissioner's activities in Scotland?
§ Mr. ElliotI cannot give an exact estimate, and an approximate estimate would be merely a guess.
§ Mr. R. GibsonAre deductions made from the money handed over to the men directly employed for national health and unemployment insurance?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat question does not arise out of the answer.