§ 49. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland at Cumnock on 14th November on the question of unemployment in Scotland represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that the unemployment figures in Scotland are double what they were at this time last year, and that the number of the partly unemployed has gone up four times? Does he think that unemployment in Scotland has reached its peak, and could he give some indication of what is the long-term policy for the diversification of industry, which was announced by the Secretary of State for Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterThose are different questions, and if the hon. Gentleman will put them on the Order Paper, I will do my best to answer them or see that they are answered. I was asked to say whether I agreed with the speech made by my right hon. Friend, to which I replied that I did. It was a long, elaborate and very interesting speech, and I found that it dealt very ably with the problem.
§ Mr. RossWhile we agree that it was a long and elaborate speech, bearing in mind the fact that unemployment has risen to an alarming extent in Scotland, and particularly in that part of Ayrshire, following upon a regimen of restrictions, credit squeezes and the like, does not the Prime Minister agree that it is a rather commendable confession of Government failure for the Secretary of State to declare that the Government's policy in the last six years has been aimed at expansion?
§ The Prime MinisterThe policy which the Government are taking with regard to special areas of high unemployment in Scotland has been described in this House, in the Act which we passed, and in many other debates. We shall continue to work for that, and I believe that we shall get the support of Scottish hon. Members.