§ 5 Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Scotland bore 35,000 unemployed who were on the register more than eight weeks, while the next nearest regions were London and South-Eastern, 21,000, North-Western, 23,000, Northern, 16,000 and Wales, 14,000; and, in view of the higher percentage in Scotland of prolonged unemployment, what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.
§ Sir W. MoncktonYes, Sir. I am keeping a careful watch on the position, and my officers are co-operating closely with other Departments concerned so that every effort is made to increase employment opportunities in Scotland.
§ Mrs. MannCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman not indicate in what particular way he is concentrating in Scotland, where the unemployment is in the heavy industries? Scotland has contributed 38 per cent, of the United Kingdom shipbuilding total. Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman concentrating on shipbuilding and the heavy industries?
§ Sir W. MoncktonAs the hon. Lady knows, the Glasgow and Lanarkshire areas are within the Development Area. I recognise—it has been the case for a considerable time—that there is proportionately more unemployment in Scotland than in the United Kingdom as a whole. Therefore, we pay particular attention to Scotland. On the other hand, the comparable figures for recent years show that there is no marked change. What we are trying to do is to see whether we can bring about a change in the other direction.