§ 67. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated net increase or decrease in the population of Scotland over the latest period of 12 months for which statistics are available; and what was the estimated net increase or decrease over the preceding 10 years.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mrs. Judith Hart)The estimated decrease in the population of Scotland between 30th June, 1964, and 30th June, 1965, was 2,500; the estimated increase between 30th June, 1954, and 30th June, 1964, was 102,800.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneI take it that in the second part of her Answer the hon. Lady is referring to the increase in the previous 10 years to which the Question refers. Would not she agree that the figures of decrease for the last year are a fair comment on the Prime Minister's statement at the last election that the people of Scotland were voting with their feet?
§ Mrs. HartThe hon. Gentleman should study the figures very much more closely. If he does, he will find that 1720 net migration rose from 25,000 in 1954 to 40,600 in 1964. He will know that under this Government there has been an increase of 80 per cent. in approvals for factory starts in Scotland during 1965 over 1964.