§ 25. Mr. Grimondasked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures for investment in industrial premises, plant, and machinery in Scotland; and how this compares with England.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe 1951 Census of Production shows investment by manufacturing industry of £40 million in Scotland and £420 million in England and Wales; the proportion of investment in Scotland is about the same as the proportion of the employed population accounted for by Scotland.
§ Mr. GrimondIs it not the case that for a number of years unemployment has been higher and investment lower in Scotland than in England? If that is true, can the right hon. Gentleman throw any light on why this continuing discrepancy should go on?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo doubt the hon. Member will put a Question on the Order Paper about employment. The figure of investment is less, as it is bound to be for Scotland, but if it is compared with the figures of the employed population the proportion is about the same.