§ 42. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received from Aberdeen Trades Council its letter of 4th March, 1963, expressing 448 concerned at the increasing unemployment in the engineering establishments in Aberdeen, and suggesting amongst other remedies the recommencement of hydroelectric building work, on lines recommended by the Mackenzie Committee Report, and of other similar public projects; what steps he will take to solve the relevant problems of unemployment; and what reply he has sent or intends to send to that letter.
§ Mr. NobleI have not received any such letter, but I have ascertained that the hon. and learned Member sent the letter he received to the Board of Trade. I have been in touch with my right hon. Friend about it and have now written to the hon. and learned Member.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that he cannot pretend that he does not know of the vast unemployment in Aberdeen? Is it not time that he formulated some constructive plans to absorb the unemployment there? When will the right hon. Gentleman do something?
§ Mr. NobleAs the hon. and learned Gentleman knows, some of the things which have been announced in the last month or two are specifically for Aberdeen.