HC Deb 13 December 1956 vol 562 cc596-8
13 and 14. Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister of Labour (1) in view of the fact that the excessively large pool of chronic unemployment in Scotland greatly exceeds the average for Great Britain, what special steps he intends taking to reduce it;

(2) what special steps he intends taking to reduce under-employment in Scotland.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The Government will continue their efforts to foster a healthy economy in Scotland and in this way develop opportunities for employment. My particular responsibility is to provide through the Employment Exchanges an efficient service for those who are looking for work.

Mr. Lawson

I have asked these Questions because we on this side of the House think that the Government are not doing enough in Scotland. These Questions are about what more ought to be done for Scotland. Does the Minister agree that chronic, long-term unemployment is the most serious form of unemployment? Is he aware that we have more than 50 per cent. of this in Scotland, and that it has persisted over many years? As to the Question about under-employment, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if Scotland's population were to be as fully employed as are the English and Welsh populations we should have to have another 100,000 more jobs available in Scotland than we have at present?

Mr. Macleod

I understand the hon. Gentleman's anxiety, but I really think that he over-simplifies the position when he puts it in the way that he does in the latter part of his supplementary question. There are special difficulties, as he knows and as I know very well, in Scotland. What matters is the way in which the trend is going. I make no party point when I say that I am sure the whole House is happy to know that the unemployment figures at the moment in Scotland have never been lower, with the exception of last year, and the trend is becoming increasingly favourable to Scotland. That is an excellent thing which the Government will do everything they can to encourage.

Mr. T. Fraser

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that it is because hon. Members on this side of the House note the trend that they are so perturbed? In spite of what the Government have done, the trend during recent years shows that Scotland is getting a diminishing share of the increasing economic activity of the United Kingdom as a whole. We are asking whether the Government will take steps to ensure that Scotland gets a proper share, so that her unemployment problem will not be reduced by people leaving Scotland but by having new, additional jobs available in Scotland.

Mr. Macleod

I do not accept all that the hon. Gentleman says. The trend to which I referred has been a reduction for many years past in the figures of unemployment in Scotland. I ant delighted to see that. They have gone down year by year for some years. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman likes to see that as much as I do. If there is anything which we can do to accelerate that trend, then of course we shall be glad to do it, but the hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that there are no dramatic powers, such as direction of labour or of industry, which would help in these circumstances. We are doing everything we can through my services and those of my right hon. Friends.

Mr. Pryde

Is the Minister aware that the term "scheduled area" has no meaning for eastern Scotland?