40. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what co-ordination exists between the Scottish Office and the Ministry of Labour to deal with the recent increase of unemployment in Scotland?
§ Mr. MunroI have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Labour and National Service is in close touch with the various Departments of the Secretary of State for Scotland concerned with particular aspects of the employment situation in Scotland. As the hon. Member will see from the unemployment figures being issued to-day, there was a decrease in unemployment in Scotland on 12th October as compared with the numbers unemployed a month previously.
Mr. DavidsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that over a period of six months there has been an increase in unemployment in Scotland? Can he explain why the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Labour goes about making speeches such as he does when unemployment is increasing generally throughout the country?