§ 26. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the total amount of aid allocated to Scotland to relieve winter unemployment; and what considerations he took into account when deciding on the amount to be allocated to Scotland.
§ Mr. ShoreAs stated in my reply on 21st October to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody), about £3 million. The division of the total of £10 million between the development areas of Scotland, Wales and the Northern Region 603 took into account both numbers of persons unemployed and percentage rates of unemployment.—[Vol. 771, c. 227.]
§ Mr. EadieWe in Scotland are very grateful for any assistance given by the Government, but would not my right hon. Friend agree that if a policy of industrial closures is approved this winter that means the entire wiping out of any advantages of aid granted?
§ Mr. ShoreNo, Sir. I do not think that events will confirm my hon. Friend's forebodings. There is a procedure for considering particular pit closures. I am sure that my hon. Friend is very well aware that the percentage of unemployment in Scotland as we enter this winter is rather better than it was at this time last year.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorThe estimate of the increase in employment in Scotland in the Scottish National Plan has resulted in a loss of almost exactly the same amount. In those circumstances, could the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of what he thinks winter unemployment in Scotland will be?
§ Mr. ShoreUnemployment is lower than it was last year, and the trend in recent months has been down. That does not support the rather gloomy view the hon. Gentleman put forward.
§ Miss HerbisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that for many years we have had pit closures in Scotland, and that those of us who represent constituencies concerned are very grateful for the work the present Government are doing compared with what the previous Tory Government did?
§ Mr. ShoreI am grateful for my right hon. Friend's remarks. We need only compare the position of Scotland in 1963 with what it is today to see the force of them.