Unemployment

HC Deb 01 December 1971 vol 827 cc422-4

10. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the subject of unemployment.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Either alone, or in company with the Prime Minister or other Ministerial colleagues, I have met delegations from the Scottish Trades Union Congress on six occasions, and unemployment has been one of the subjects discussed. I am always willing to consider representations from the Scottish T.U.C. and to have discussions when these can be helpful.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny the statement made by the General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress arising from a meeting held between the Scottish C.B.I. and the S.T.U.C. that there would soon be an announcement about the steel plant at Hunterston? Can he tell us when the move forward in the economy which he forecast in October, 1970, will bear fruit? Will it be before unemployment reaches the astronomical figure of over 150,000 in Scotland?

Mr. Campbell

I have not seen the text of the statement which was apparently made, but the Government have made it clear that they must receive the long-term investment programme proposed by the British Steel Corporation before the very important and major decision on Hunterston is taken. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and my other colleagues have done an enormous amount in recent months to reflate the domestic economy.

Mr. W. Baxter

When will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement about the policies which the Government will pursue in order to instil some confidence in industry in Scotland? A lot will depend on the development of our native industry to overcome the unemployment problem. Rather than running all over the world trying to encourage other people to set up industries in Scotland, the right hon. Gentleman should endeavour to develop our native industries.

Mr. Campbell

I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman about the need for confidence at home, but what has been done in encouraging industry abroad to take an interest in Scotland is only one part of what is necessary to be done. I said a great deal yesterday about this matter in my speech at St. Andrews. I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of it, because it contained a lot on the lines indicated by the hon. Gentleman. However, I could not shortly—and you approve of short answers, Mr. Speaker—do that now.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. In view of the evident importance of the Secretary of State's speech, could not we all receive a copy?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.

Mr. Ross

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has delivered himself of his traditional St. Andrew's Day vapourings, telling us that Scotland is in an era of change, can he say when the Government will announce changes in their policies for the development areas designed to improve the employment situation? When will he announce something about Hunterston? When will he announce a settlement in relation to U.C.S.? When will he announce something about Alexandria?

Mr. Campbell

I could not possibly deal with all those points now, but I will arrange for the right hon. Gentleman to get a copy of my speech because he has obviously got it wrong. I dealt with the question of the timing of a decision on Hunterston, which must await the submission by the British Steel Corporation of its long-term investment programme. That is expected about the end of the year. I am naturally as keen as anyone to make progress on the other matters the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned.