§ 22. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the continuing depopulation from the Highland counties, what action he is taking to create greater opportunities for employment in the area, not only to arrest depopulation, but to achieve repopulation, and to reach a degree of Highland prosperity and development which could be an increasing asset to the whole of Britain.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartThe purpose of the programme of Highland development which is being carried out as quickly as the resources of the country allow is to encourage more people to live in the Highlands by making it possible for them to find there suitable and productive employment and to enjoy modern amenities
§ Mr. John MacLeodIs it the Government's intention to encourage industrialists to come into this area although there may not be the raw materials in the area for such an industry? Many industries which come into the Highlands do not need raw materials within the area.
§ Mr. StewartYes, of course. We want to encourage everybody who wishes and can be persuaded to come into the Highlands.
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonIs it not clear from the population figures for the Highlands that depopulation is still going on; is my hon. Friend aware that until we reverse this trend we cannot begin the development of which the Highlands are capable; and would it not be very much in the interests of the whole United Kingdom that we should begin this?
§ 28. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the growth of unemployment in parts of the Highlands, he will consider accelerating the programme of Highland development and making full use of the now available manpower.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartUnemployment is, unfortunately, usually higher at this time of year, but we are pressing forward the programme of Highland development to the fullest extent consistent with the country's economic position.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that economy is the use of the labour available to the maximum extent; would he not agree that it is not economy to pay people for being unemployed when the same people are willing to do work for that money; is he also aware that unemployment in one district has reached over 30 per cent., and that it cannot be said to be seasonal employment but is probably due to more permanent causes; and are the Government prepared to see that their Highland development plan is put into effect as fast as labour becomes available in the Highlands in order not to have any wastage of labour, money or materials?
§ Mr. StewartYes, Sir, that indeed is our desire and intention.
§ Mr. RossOn a point of order. In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland has seen fit to answer Question No. 28 on employment and unemployment, could you tell me, Mr. Speaker, why it was that he saw fit to transfer to the Minister of Labour what is now Question No. 91, standing in my name, dealing with Scottish unemployment; and why the Scottish Office is not only reluctant but quite incompetent to tell me why that Question has been transferred?
§ Mr. SpeakerI think the answer must be that Question No. 28 relates to the programme of Highland development.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not the fact that there is really no development at all in the Highlands; and is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that in my own constituency 90 men, road workers, were paid off a week or two ago while a mass of roads remain in an unrepaired and dangerous state?
§ Mr. StewartThere is indeed a good deal of development going on.
§ Sir D. RobertsonWhere?
§ Mr. StewartIn my hon. Friend's constituency. He is doing a good deal of it himself. I was not aware of the case of the road men to which my hon. Friend referred, and I will look into that immediately. It may well be that the had weather has made it impossible to do road work.