§ 16. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what loss of population occurred in Scotland in 1962 as the result of migration to other parts of the United Kingdom and abroad.
§ Mr. LeburnThe net loss of population by migration from Scotland in the year to June, 1962, is estimated at 29,500. Of this 20,500 was to other parts of the United Kingdom and 9,000 abroad.
§ Mr. WillisIs not that a really shocking figure? Should not the Government be ashamed of themselves? When will the Secretary of State come to the House with a statement as to what he intends to do to try to stop this? We get statements from everyone but the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. LeburnI am the first to agree that this figure is uncomfortably high and, of course, we aim to put that right.
§ Mr. F. HarrisI apologise for intruding, but, as an off-set to this figure, does anyone apart from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis) emigrate to Scotland?
§ Mr. LeburnThese are net figures.
§ Mr. RossWhat attempt have the Government made to find the reasons for this loss of population? Is it not amazing that the Secretary of State and a noble Lord in another place described Scotland as "the land of opportunity", yet 29,000 have to leave it to find an opportunity elsewhere?
§ Mr. LeburnWe all know that the basic problem in Scotland is that new jobs and new industries have not kept pace with the loss in declining industries, and we must get more diversification. That is what we are aiming to do through the Local Employment Act and by other means.