HC Deb 23 April 1969 vol 782 cc462-3
26. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an interim report on the progress made towards the 1971 targets regarding the provision of roads, housing, new jobs, and in solving the emigration problem.

Mr. Ross

A formal interim report could not usefully add to the statistics on these matters that are regularly made available in the Digest of Scottish Statistics and in other official publications.

Mr. Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend say whether in his opinion we are reasonably on target as outlined in the five-year plan? In particular, will he confirm that there is a continuing favourable trend in the net emigration figures?

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend will know the figures, because I have given them often enough. On roads, we are well up to target—probably beyond it—and it will be achieved by 1970.

The last two years have been record years in house building.

Our fulfilment on the provision of new jobs is almost double what was achieved by the previous Administration. They seem to be the only people in Scotland who are not aware of the progress being made.

Last year the drift south was the lowest figure achieved for about nine years.

Mrs. Ewing

Is not the Secretary of State hampered in making economic forecasts about jobs by the lack of information on Scotland's vital statistics?

Mr. Ross

I take a great interest in vital statistics. I assure the hon. Lady that I have never been hampered by lack of information. I think that what the hon. Lady means is statistics about our economic development. This Government have provided and have set out to get more statistics to light the path towards progress than any other Government.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Will the Secretary of State look at page 9 of his White Paper of 1966 where it is recorded that in the four years 1960 to 1964 157,000 new jobs were created, whereas his target over six years is 130,000, which is considerably less? Therefore, what he has just said is not correct.

Mr. Ross

What I said just now is absolutely correct. Anyone can do what the hon. Gentleman is doing. If one selects two dates carefully one can get the answer one wants. I have already answered a Question about the 130,000 gross new jobs promised. The figures are correct. There are other aspects about which the hon. Gentleman has not thought.