§ Q6. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister when a statement will be made on the further measures to be taken to relieve the unemployment situation in Scotland; and whether, when this statement is made, Her Majesty's Government will indicate which are short-term measures designed to produce speedy results and which are long-term measures for the encouragement of future growth.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answers which I gave him on 12th February and other hon. Members on 14th February.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the right hon. Gentleman be more specific and tell us exactly when he will come forward with the proposals, because the longer he delays the worse the situation becomes? Can he also tell the House how many of these economic advisers are available to advise him on the Scottish economy? Clearly he is in need of some advice. Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has had some advice from the Scottish T.U.C., from the Scottish Council and from hon. Members on both sides of the House and that he takes no notice of any of it?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Scottish T.U.C. asked that unemployment benefit should be increased. It was increased the next day.
§ Mr. RossBefore the Prime Minister makes a statement, will he read a report on the Scottish economy written by a Professor Cairncross in 1952?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I will certainly do so.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what form the statement will take? Will it be given by the right hon. Gentleman himself or by the President of the Board of Trade, or will he allow the Secretary of State for Scotland to have a word or two on the Scottish economy?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are a number of things which we have already done and there are other measures we have in contemplation. When they are ready and decided they will be announced in the most convenient way.