§ 25. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new initiatives he now proposes taking to help arrest the rise in Scottish unemployment.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe hon. Member will recognise that major new initiatives have already been taken to put the economy on a sound footing and to promote industrial development in Scotland. Clearly changes of this magnitude should be given time to work, but we keep the situation under continuous review.
§ Mr. SillarsWe all realise that it is extremely difficult to deliver that answer with a straight face. Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the number of very reputable individuals and organisations in Scotland advocating a massive public works programme to reduce unemployment this year? Has the hon. Gentleman's Department been involved in any study of the possibility of undertaking such a programme?
§ Mr. GrantI am well aware of the hon. Gentleman's point. My hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has urged local authorities to do just that. He will be having further discussions with various people on this point in the near future.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWill my hon. Friend take careful note of the grave damage done to the Scottish economy by the penal taxation by the last Government, of family companies based in Scotland, and encourage my right hon. and hon. Friends to rectify this as soon as possible?
§ Mr. GrantOnce again I take careful note of what my hon. Friend says and find myself in substantial agreement.
§ Mr. William HamiltonWhat representations has the hon. Gentleman had 20 from the Scottish C.B.I. and the Scottish Council on the efficacy or otherwise of the Government's new policies?
§ Mr. GrantThe Director-General of the C.B.I. has indicated that he is entirely in favour of the policy the Government are adopting.