§ 21. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Labour what has been the increase in the numbers of those employed in the machine tool industry in Scotland and Great Britain, respectively, since 1951.
§ Mr. HareOwing to changes in industrial classification, the figures are not strictly comparable but it is estimated that between 1951 and 1961 there were increases of about 3,800 in Scotland and 58,000 in Great Britain.
§ Mr. WillisBut do not these figures indicate that Scotland has been failing to get its proper share of development in this industry? Is it not because Scotland is failing to gets its share in these developing and expanding industries that Scottish unemployment is so high and many people have to leave Scotland?
§ Mr. HareI agree with the hon. Gentleman that we all wish to see more expanding and new industries going to Scotland. In considering this industry, however, I think he should know that since 1951 employment in Scotland has more than doubled compared with an increase of about 65 per cent. in Great Britain. I am not saying that Scotland has had its proper share, but in this case it has done rather better proportionately than Great Britain.