HC Deb 10 July 1967 vol 750 cc84-7
32. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Minister of Labour what is the latest figure in total numbers and percentages for unemployment in Scotland; and how this compares with the corresponding month in 1962.

Mr. Fernyhough

The figures were 76,982 and 3.5 per cent. in June, 1967 and 72,124 and 3.3 per cent. in June, 1962.

Mr. Taylor

Do not these figures underline the seriousness of the position? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are now more than four unemployed people in Scotland for every vacant job? Is it not time that we had some replacements?

Mr. Fernyhough

I am as concerned about this figure as is the hon. Gentleman, and we will do more about it than did our predecessors. In 1963, a year later than the year for which he asked for figures, unemployment in Scotland was over 94,000 and the rate was 4.3 per cent.

Mr. Rankin

Would my hon. Friend confirm that in the winter of 1962, the unemployment total in Scotland was 136,000. under the previous Government .a figure bigger than any which even the Old Man of Hoy can recollect.

Mr. R. Carr

But does the hon. Gentleman not yet realise, even by now, that the comparable year for comparison of economic measures is not 1963 but 1962? If he is going to quote 1963, will he give a forecast of the 1968 position?

Mr. Fernyhough

No, just as the right hon. Gentleman would not have given it in 1963 for 1964.

Mr. Maclennan

Would my hon. Friend place in the Library a copy of the memorandum issued last Monday by the Scottish Council for Development and

TOTAL REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED, AND WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED (EXCLUDING SCHOOL-LEAVERS) SHOWING ACTUAL NUMBERS AND NUMBERS ADJUSTED FOR NORMAL SEASONAL VARIATIONS
(Thousands)
Great Britain
Total registered unemployed Wholly unemployed (excluding school-leavers)
Actual Adjusted
Mid-June each year Number Per cent. Number Number Per cent.
1946 … … … … 376 2.5 — — —
1947 … … … … 272 1.8 — — —
1948 … … … … 274 1.8 — — —
1949 … … … … 264 1.3 255 294 1.4
1950 … … … … 282 1.4 271 311 1.5
1951 … … … … 191 0.9 183 214 1.0
1952 … … … … 440 2.1 295 337 1.6
1953 … … … … 298 1.4 275 315 1.5
1954 … … … … 240 1.1 225 261 1.2
1955 … … … … 211 1.0 180 210 1.0
1956 … … … … 223 1.0 189 220 1.0
1957 … … … … 265 1.2 246 283 1.3
1958 … … … … 429 2.0 366 416 1.9
1959 … … … … 413 1.9 383 435 2.0
1960 … … … … 305 1.4 295 338 1.5
1961 … … … … 266 1.2 254 292 1.3
1962 … … … … 397 1.7 368 419 1.8
1963 … … … … 480 2.1 454 513 2.2
1964 … … … … 322 1.4 315 360 1.6
1965 … … … … 276 1.2 269 309 1.3
1966 … … … … 261 1.1 252 290 1.2
1967 … … … … 500 2.1 464 524 2.2

Industry, which shows how encouraging is the progress in laying the foundations for the industrial expansion which Scotland expects in the next three years?

Mr. Fernyhough

I would be very happy to do that.

42. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed on an unadjusted and a seasonally adjusted basis at the June count for Great Britain and for Scotland, respectively, in each year since the war.

Mr. Gunter

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The figures for the earlier years before the introduction of the comprehensive National Insurance Scheme are not directly comparable with those for 1949 and later years.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us the last occasion on which unemployment reached million in midsummer?

Mr. Gunter

I could not offhand. I should have to look at the figures.

Following is the information:

(Thousands)
Scotland
Total registered unemployed Wholly unemployed (excluding school-leavers)
Actual Adjusted
Mid-June each year Number Per cent. Number Number Per cent.
1946 … … … … 75 4.6 — — —
1947 … … … … 55 3.3 — — —
1948 … … … … 49 3.0 — — —
1949 … … … … 53 2.5 50 57 2.7
1950 … … … … 59 2.8 56 63 3.0
1951 … … … … 42 2.0 40 47 2.2
1952 … … … … 69 3.2 55 62 2.9
1953 … … … … 57 2.7 52 59 2.8
1954 … … … … 51 2.4 48 55 2.6
1955 … … … … 47 2.2 42 49 2.3
1956 … … … … 46 2.1 41 47 2.2
1957 … … … … 49 2.3 45 52 2.4
1958 … … … … 76 3.5 67 74 3.5
1959 … … … … 85 3.9 79 87 4.0
60 … … … … 70 3.2 66 74 3.4
1961 … … … … 60 2.8 56 63 2.9
1962 … … … … 72 3.3 67 75 3.4
1963 … … … … 95 4.3 90 98 4.5
1964 … … … … 71 3.2 69 77 3.5
1965 … … … … 56 2.6 54 61 2.8
1966 … … … … 52 2.4 50 57 2.6
1967 … … … … 77 3.5 74 82 3.7