HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 cc1644-5
Q3. Mr. Douglas

asked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to St. Andrew's House before December, 1971.

The Prime Minister

Although I shall be in Edinburgh on 27th March my programme does not include a visit to St. Andrew's House. I shall, however, bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind for some future visit.

Mr. Douglas

Would the right hon. Gentleman not accept that his answer is a grave disappointment, because the people of Scotland would like to know, before the winter of 1971–72, what plans the Tory Government will have to reduce the high level of unemployment, which today has reached the figure of 122,500, 16 per cent. of the British total? For every man unemployed in Scotland, there is a total inadequacy of jobs. There are 12 people chasing every job available in Scotland. What is his Government going to do about that?

The Prime Minister

Although I am not going to St. Andrew's House, I am going to have a meeting with the Scottish Economic Council, and we shall there have the opportunity of discussing economic policy for Scotland.