§ 21. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that owing to the long hauls necessary in the north and north-east of Scotland the shortage of petrol has a prejudicial effect on industry and therefore on employment there; the numbers unemployed and on short-time working in each industry in Scotland as a result of the present petrol shortage; and what steps he is taking to prevent the frustration and to minimise unemployment in the north and northeast of Scotland.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware that in remote areas, such as the north and north-east of Scotland, there are special difficulties as a result of the restrictions on petrol supplies. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation takes these into account in allocating supplementary allowances of petrol. My own officers are also keeping a close watch on the situation in these areas in order that the effect on employment may be minimised.
Last week some 1,700 workers in various industries in Scotland were reported to be working short time either wholly or partly because of the petrol shortage. Since 7th November, 1956, the discharge of 1,100 workers has been reported. Some of these have since found other employment.
§ Mr. HughesDo not the figures show that this is a very grave and urgent matter in which the Minister should act in collaboration not only with his right hon. Friend whom he mentioned but also with Lord Mills, Minister of Power? One way in which this operates to frustrate industry is by diminishing the journeys of Scottish commercial travellers, which is a very serious matter. Will the right hon. Gentleman attend to it?
§ Mr. MacleodI think that complaints, particularly from the north of Scotland, 835 about the petrol allocation, are to some extent being met, and I believe that the position is becoming rather more satisfactory. I should not have thought that the figures which I gave were quite as alarming as the hon. and learned Member suggested in his supplementary question, but it is of course true that Scotland is, and has been for many years, a special problem in this respect.
§ Mr. John MacLeodWould my right hon. Friend point out to the Minister responsible that there are many small firms, such as joiners whose business is carried on in remote areas and where people have to travel long distances? Although the figures may be small, because not many people are employed in those industries, this matter is most important for those small firms.
§ Mr. MacleodI think that that is perfectly true, and it is those matters which I hope and believe are being taken carefully into account in the supplementary allocations.
§ 32. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Labour over what periods during the past live years the number of registered unemployed in Scotland has exceeded the number of notified unfilled vacancies.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThroughout the period 1952–56—indeed, since these records started in 1945—the number of registered unemployed in Scotland has exceeded the number of notified unfilled vacancies.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Minister aware that this position has prevailed in Scotland, despite the fact that every year we lose thousands of our workpeople? Is he further aware that in the December figures there were three unemployed persons for every unfilled vacancy? Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the President of the Board of Trade to see whether something can be done about resuming the building of factories in Scotland, in order that we may get a fair share of industrial development?
§ Mr. MacleodI am always closely in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on that matter. For some years now the relative position of Scotland has improved in that respect, and that is also true in relation 836 to the ratio of vacancies to unemployed. It is true again that the deterioration in employment that took place generally over the country during the last year has not happened in Scotland. There are a number of helpful signs, although I recognise that it is essentially a long-term problem for us to solve.