HC Deb 24 February 1971 vol 812 cc562-3
27. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Economic Planning Board's estimates of the changes in employment in manufacturing industry in the period 1970 to 1975.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The Scottish Economic Planning Board is carrying out, as a continuing exercise, an examination of the factors likely to determine labour supply and demand in Scotland over the next few years.

Mr. Douglas

I hope that the Secretary of State will concede that, whatever estimates the Planning Board has made, it has been drawn off course by the high incidence of unemployment in Scotland, particularly in the manufacturing industry. Would he concede that his Government's policy is undermining the manufacturing base which the Labour Government created in Scotland?

Mr. Campbell

The answer to the last part of the question is, "No". As many hon. Gentlemen know, before I came into office I was prophesying unemployment in Scotland this winter if the Labour Government did not make changes. I was not myself surprised at what happened, but I regret it. The Labour Government in their 1966 White Paper estimated a net gain of 60,000 jobs, but during that period there was a net loss of 82,000.

Mr. Strang

Since the Secretary of State has reminded us of his prophecy of unemployment this winter, would he give a categorical assurance that unemployment in Scotland next winter will be substantially less than it is now?

Mr. Campbell

I can give an assurance that the changes which we have made and which the previous Government refused to consider should lead to a better situation next winter.