84. Sir M. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing the North of Scotland cannot be regarded as a development area, he will give an undertaking that the White Paper's policy on employment will be given effect as far as practicable.
Mr. JohnstonAs my hon. Friend is aware, concerted measures and inquiries have already been initiated under the auspices of the Advisory Council of ex-Secretaries and the Scottish Council on Industry in relation to the Highlands, with special reference to the development of resources and facilities there. I can assure my hon. Friend that, in considering the application of the proposals made in the White Paper on Employment 2205 Policy, the Government will keep prominently before them the development needs of areas such as the Highlands which have suffered in the past from a consistently high level of unemployment and will endeavour to apply in those areas such of the measures contemplated in the White Paper as may be appropriate in the particular circumstances.