§ Q2. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will seek a meeting with representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, in order to discuss the implications of the policy proposals suggested by him in recent correspondence with the Trades Union Congress on Scotland's economic problems.
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that if the Scottish Trades Union Congress would like another meeting with me it will let me know.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the Scottish T.U.C. is deeply disappointed and indeed angry at the nature of the proposals which he communicated in his letter? Is he aware that he is now being charged in Scotland with being guilty of a confidence trick perpetrated on those men who came down to see him?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is not in the least my impression from the way we held either this discussion or previous discussions. I have always had the most courteous and friendly relationship with the Scottish T.U.C.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the Prime Minister recognise that many of the points 628 in the original memorandum from the Scottish T.U.C. were ignored by him when he replied?
§ The Prime MinisterMany of them were dealt with yesterday.
Mr. BaxterIn view of the statements yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that a different fiscal policy should apply to areas of high unemployment, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he would consider altering the whole fiscal policy of Scotland to come in line with the newly declared policy of Her Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter will no doubt be discussed today and during the remaining stages on the Budget, and of course I will take into account with my colleagues what the hon. Member has said.
§ Q3. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if, following his consultations with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the projects, outlined in his letter to them dated 15th March 1963, designed to solve the problem of unemployment.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 2nd April.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard the proposals in that letter as the short-term palliative as opposed to yesterday's long-term solutions? Can he tell us, for the enlightenment of the House, who will have the greater impact on the Scottish economy—Beeching or Maudling?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the subject matter of the Question, I repeat that I think we had a very useful meeting. Many of the short-term things were dealt with as well as I was able before the Budget, and much of the long-term policy was developed yesterday.
§ Mr. LawsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that if a sensible policy towards Scotland had been followed over the past 12 years the situation which now exists need never have arisen? Will he take steps to see, even at this late hour, that there are radical rectifications?
§ The Prime MinisterWe shall try to do better during the next 12 years.
§ Mr. BrewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that the proposals in the Budget, and particularly the loan for the new Fort William pulp and paper mills, will be very greatly welcomed in Scotland?