§ 35. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much additional expenditure on roads will be incurred in Scotland during 1960 to assist in providing employment.
§ Mr. MaclayI estimate that Government and local authority expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of trunk and classified roads in 1960–61 will be about £18 million as against £15.6 million in 1959–60.
§ Mr. WillisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is not really an answer to the Question? I asked how much additional expenditure is to be undertaken to assist unemployment in Scotland. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in spite of the jobs that we have promised in the pipeline, tens of thousands of Scotland's people will not be able to get jobs for a considerable period of time? Does he not think that this would be a good way of assisting them?
§ Mr. MaclayA simple calculation will show the increase in expenditure over the two years, but, as I would point out again, because of modern methods of construction the direct contribution made by road works to employment is relatively small. I am fully aware of Scotland's employment problems, and I am considering them all the time.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Secretary of State aware that, no matter how few may be the number of jobs provided, every single job is of importance when we have over 90,000 people unemployed?
§ Mr. MaclayI certainly agree with that. I merely emphasise that roads themselves are not great employment producers.