§ 14. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what cenveniently available figures he has for employment in the paper trade in Scotland over the past five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HowellI will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the annual figures. They will show that between June, 1965, and June, 1969, the number of employees in employment in the paper and board manufacturing industry in Scotland fell from 18,400 to 16,200.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat guidance are the Government giving the paper industry in Scotland?
§ Mr. HowellThe future of the industry, where the Government are involved, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. As for employment opportunities, my Department is watching closely what we recognise to be a worrying situation and, naturally, giving all the guidance that we can through the employment services.
§ Following is the information:
| ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN SCOTLAND IN PAPER AND BOARD (MINIMUM LIST HEADING 481 OF THE 1958 EDITION OF THE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION) | |||
| (Thousands) | |||
| Males | Females | Total | |
| June, 1965 | 13.0 | 5.4 | 18.4 |
| June, 1966 | 13.1 | 4.9 | 18.0 |
| June, 1967 | 12.7 | 4.7 | 17.4 |
| June, 1968 | 12.3 | 4.9 | 17.2 |
| June, 1969 | 11.9 | 4.3 | 16.2 |
| Estimates for June, 1970, are not yet available. |