§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Technology what was the total amount of assistance given to development areas under the Local Employment Acts in each of the last eight 8 years; and what proportion of the total went to Scotland.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Technology (Mr. Eric Varley)Payments under the Acts in the eight years to 1968–69 have totalled £267 million, of which f115 million or 45 per cent. went to Scotland. I am circulating the figures for each year in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the information:
| EXPENDITURE ON ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACTS | ||||
| Scotland | ||||
| Great Britain £m | £m. | Percentage of Great Britain | ||
| 1961–62 | … | 32.8 | 18.5 | 56.4 |
| 1962–63 | … | 23.9 | 14.4 | 60.3 |
| 1963–64 | … | 16.6 | 8.0 | 48.2 |
| 1964–65 | … | 27.3 | 9.3 | 34.1 |
| 1965–66 | … | 29.1 | 11.4 | 39.2 |
| 1966–67 | … | 43.3 | 21.1 | 48.7 |
| 1967–68 | … | 43.7 | 16.1 | 36.8 |
| 1968–69 | … | 50.7 | 16.0 | 31.6 |
§ Mr. HamiltonWill my hon. Friend confirm that the figures for the early years include once-for-all investment in the motor car industry? If that is the case, will he consider including in his answer the figures for the later years, to take account of investment grants and the regional employment premium?
§ Mr. VarleyOn the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I confirm that, in the earlier years, the amendments do reflect the substantial assistance given to the motor industry. On the second part, I will consider carefully whether information can be given about investment grants and the regional employment premium.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellWhat are the Government doing about the net loss of jobs in Scotland of 67,000 in the last three years, about which information is available, comparing this with the net gain of jobs to Scotland between 1960 and 1964?
§ Mr. VarleyThe hon. Gentleman should follow the debates in the House. If he did, he would have seen that considerable assistance has been given to Scotland.