§ 21. Mr. Hoyasked the Minister of Labour if he will now state the number of employees who have lost their employment as a result of the merger of the Edinburgh Evening News and Edinburgh Evening Despatch.
§ Mr. GodberI understand that Scotsman Publications Ltd. is still dealing with the problem of redundancy, but that most of the workers affected have now found other employment. Twenty of the employees are known to be unemployed.
§ Mr. HoyAlthough I accept the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given, my information is quite different, that a considerable number more are unemployed. However, as this raises the much more important general question of newspapers being closed down throughout the country, can the right hon. Gentleman say what action he is taking to deal with that problem?
§ Mr. GodberThat goes rather wide of the original Question. Obviously, as it is a matter which affects a number of Departments, I could not comment at this stage.