§ 19. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs were lost in mining, agriculture and domestic service in the three years 1969 to 1972 to the nearest available date; and how many of those affected were retrained for other employment.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithBetween June, 1969, and June, 1971, the latest date for which estimates are available, the number of employees in Great Britain fell by about 35,000 in coalmining, by about 45,000 in agriculture and horticulture and by about 26,000 in private domestic service. There is no comprehensive information on how many of those affected were retrained for other employment.
§ Mr. EadieWould the hon. Gentleman agree that these figures of contraction in these industries are fairly substantial, and that Scotland suffered very severely proportionately? Would he agree that any retraining, as he has confessed to the House, has been minimal, because there have been very few jobs, and that any acceleration of domestic service would not be entirely suitable? If there is any further contraction in the mining industry in Scotland, will this not be fatal for employment?
§ Mr. SmithNo one underestimates the difficulties, but the hon. Gentleman knows 814 that there has been an improvement in Scotland. The process of industrial change always causes difficulties in job opportunities. But now, for the first time in many years, we have the prospect of sustained and increased national prosperity, and I would expect Scotland, despite its difficulties, to share in that prosperity.