HC Deb 30 April 1964 vol 694 cc572-3
15. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many new jobs were provided in Scotland during 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively.

Mr. Heath

I regret that the information requested by the hon. Member is not available.

Mr. Willis

Why is not this information available? Would it not be a much better indication of what is happening in Scotland if these figures were available than to be given all the figures which the Government continuously give about jobs in the pipeline which will materialise, perhaps, some time in the future? Would not such figures help us to compare the number of jobs with those which we are told will be provided when a particular establishment is authorised?

Mr. Heath

The information for which the hon. Gentleman asks is not available for the simple reason that jobs arise in Scotland, as elsewhere, through non-industrial employment as well, in firms and factories for which I.D.C.s are not required. The full information is not, therefore, available, and to obtain it would require a form of administration which I do not believe would be justified. In reply to the last part of his supplementary question, I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would welcome the possibility of jobs going to Scotland. If he would be more welcoming he might get more jobs.

Mr. T. Fraser

While one can understand the right hon. Gentleman's difficulty in answering the Question as it appears on the Order Paper, may I ask whether he can say how many new jobs have arisen during this period in respect of his activities under the Local Employment Act?

Mr. Heath

If the hon. Member will put down a question I will certainly answer it.

16. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimates he has made of the number of new jobs required in Scotland each year to prevent the continuing high level of emigration and to reduce the level of unemployment to two per cent.

Mr. Heath

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 39 to 41 of the White Paper on Central Scotland.

Mr. Willis

I cannot remember offhand what is stated in paragraphs 39 to 41. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish Council has now definitely stated that Scotland requires 40,000 new jobs a year for several years to come? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that so far the Government have not got anywhere near that figure and that they require to do much more than they are doing if that figure is to be achieved?

Mr. Heath

If the hon. Gentleman consults those paragraphs of the White Paper he will see the Government's view on this matter.