§ Q3. Mr. Hoyasked the Prime Minister if he will now make a further announcement on the proposals put to him by the Scottish Trades Union Congress to combat unemployment in Scotland.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answers which I gave to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. W. Hamilton) on 12th February.
§ Mr. HoyThat is not good enough. Is the Prime Minister aware that the position in Scotland is getting steadily worse and that his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade this afternoon has just confirmed that 1,100 more men in Scotland, in one firm alone, will get notices to quit tomorrow? Will the Government expedite the recommendations of, firstly, the Mackenzie Committee in regard to the erection of a new coal-fired power station in Scotland and, secondly, the recommendation of the Rochdale Committee to proceed immediately with considerable dock extensions at Leith?
§ The Prime MinisterRegarding those two practical proposals, I think I mentioned a few days ago, on the first, that I hoped very soon to be able to make an announcement. The technical advice is now being considered and I hope that that will soon be settled. On the second proposal, that is very much in mind.
§ Mr. Hector HughesThe Prime Minister referred to some Answer that he gave in the past, but does he realise that this is a very urgent and important matter involving human happiness in Scotland? Unemployment is increasing. Britain is the largest mercantile nation in the world, but we will lose that primacy unless the shipyards are given more work. Will he now take steps to accept the recent Russian offer to send 1482 contracts for shipbuilding to this country on certain conditions?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I say, we have had many Questions and Answers on the general question and, of course, it is a very important problem which we are doing all we can to resolve. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has made a statement on the special question, and I think that it would be wiser to leave the matter where it now is if we hope for a successful conclusion.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Prime Minister aware that the quickest way of making a contribution to this problem is for him to ask his Ministers to see whether they could not direct orders to existing industries in Scotland to stimulate employment, rather than wait until new industries come in?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly bear that in mind.