§ 4. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been created in Scotland in new Government offices or agencies which have been sited there since October, 1964.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Harold Lever)I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 19th December, 1967.—[Vol. 756, col. 354.]
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIs the Financial Secretary aware that nearly 7,000 of the 7,500 jobs provided in this way in Scotland result from decisions taken by the Conservative Administration before 1964? Does he agree that this shows that the record of his Department has been somewhat meagre?
§ Mr. LeverThe decisions in many of these matters were taken by the Conservative Party, but they were confirmed and implemented by us. The hon. Gentleman must be aware that, in this matter of employment in Scotland, the provision of Government offices is only part of the story and that the Labour Government 189 have given twice as much money towards encouraging employment in the last three years than did the Conservative Government in a similar period.
§ Mr. StodartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at least two Government agencies in the agricultural sphere, one being the Meat and Livestock Commission, are admirably suited to go to Scotland? Is he further aware that in a letter to the Scottish T.U.C. the other day the Prime Minister said that the Government would continue to look at the possibility of this happening? Is "a look" by the Prime Minister adequate in this matter?
§ Mr. LeverWe of course do our best to encourage the development of these offices in Scotland, but there are other factors which must be taken into account.