HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 cc885-6
6. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Labour what change in unemployment levels in Scotland is forecast in the light of the Budget policy.

Mr. Gunter

I am not prepared to give a forecast of the future level of unemployment.

Mr. Eadie

With 136,000 unemployed in Scotland in 1963, when hon. Members opposite were in office, and 86,000 unemployed now, is it not desirable that the Government should not cultivate the habits of the Opposition because of budgetary policy?

Mr. Gunter

I immediately agree with that proposition.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is wise not to make forecasts in the light of Budget decisions? Is it not inevitable that increases in the S.E.T. and excise duties will have serious effects on the level of employment in Scotland, particularly outside the central industrial belt?

Mr. Gunter

I have always refrained from making prophecies about unemployment, not only since the Budget but before. One of the reasons for this is that certain prophecies were made by the Opposition about the level of unemployment in December and January which were proved false, and I do not claim to be a better prophet than they are.

7. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Labour what employment and unemployment trends are forecast for the coming year in the light of Budget policy.

Mr. Gunter

I am not prepared to give forecasts of the future level of employment or unemployment.

Mr. Eadie

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that that Answer is very unsatisfactory? In view of the position in Scotland it is necessary that the Government should not relax their efforts to ensure that there is no increase in the trend of unemployment.

Mr. Gunter

I agree. Indeed, the efforts of the Government have been directed, with some success, to meeting that situation in Scotland.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer also refuses to give any estimate of future unemployment? To whom can we go? Is this the Government who seek to plan everything for the future except full employment?

Mr. Gunter

It is just a desire to refrain from the dangerous area of prophecy.

Mr. Atkinson

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said yesterday that the alternative to the wages policy was 1 million unemployed. What work has the Ministry of Labour done on finding out whether the equivalent of 500,000 unemployed plus the 3½ per cent. wage norm is equal to 1 million unemployed?

Mr. Gunter

I have a shrewd suspicion that that supplementary question should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.