HC Deb 26 March 1957 vol 567 cc952-3
18. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of Scottish emigrants during each of the past three years.

Mr. N. Macpherson

It is estimated that the net migration from Scotland in the year ending on 30th June, 1956, which is the latest period for which figures are available, was 24,710. The figures for the years ending on 30th June, 1954, and 30th June, 1955, were 25,398 and 23,150 respectively. These totals include a net migration to other parts of the United Kingdom of about 13,000.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that I am asking for the gross figure, not the net figure? Is he also aware that a person going into Scotland is not necessarily equivalent to a person coming out of Scotland? Unless we are going to be guessing as to what is actually happening, it is high time we got the gross figures of the total number of Scottish-born people leaving Scotland. Will the hon. Gentleman try to get those figures for us?

Mr. Macpherson

Yes, I shall see if they can be obtained.