HC Deb 03 February 1953 vol 510 cc1644-5
29. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Minister of Labour during the past year on the problem of the continued increase in unemployment in Scotland; and what steps he proposed to remedy the situation.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)

Consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend and my other colleagues about the employment position in Scotland is continuous and close. Action is being taken to encourage development of industry and to provide employment by the building of factories, placing of defence contracts and in other ways, and we shall continue our efforts.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not a fact that the amount of factory building completed or started last year in Scotland was very much less than it was in 1951; is the hon. Gentleman aware that the monthly average rate of unemployment in Scotland was 53,500 in 1951 and 69,300 in 1952; and what specific steps are the Government prepared to take to deal with this very serious matter?

Mr. Stewart

The figures for new factory building are pretty clear, and are not unsatisfactory. Last year 1,750,000 square feet of new factory space was completed.

Mr. Hamilton

How much was started?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are doing a number of things to deal with unemployment, such as armaments work, the distribution of industry and Highland schemes. We are doing everything feasible and practical to improve the situation.

Mr. Grimond

What successful steps are the Government taking to introduce new industries into the Highlands; are they going to schedule any of the Highlands as Development Areas; and, in particular, what steps are being taken to reduce the very high rate of unemployment in the Highlands?

Mr. Stewart

There is another Question, which I propose to answer, dealing with the first point. The hon. Gentleman knows the answers to the other questions as well as I do. There is not yet a new Development Area, and I am not persuaded that it is the right thing to do.