HC Deb 12 December 1973 vol 866 cc410-2
23. Mr. Mac Arthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the latest emigration figures; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Yes, sir. Net emigration from Scotland in the year to June 1973 is estimated at 10,700. This compares with 27,600 for the preceding year and is the lowest figure for any year since the war.

Mr. MacArthur

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those figures will give the greatest satisfaction in Scotland and elsewhere, although we all look forward to the day when there will be a net gain and not a net loss each year? Will he confirm that these are not simply the best figures since the war but the best figures for two generations? Further, will my right hon. Friend confirm that these figures reflect a growing confidence in the expanding Scottish economy? Just to round matters off, will he tell the House why hon. Members of the Opposition looked so unhappy a moment ago at hearing this good news?

Mr. Campbell

I agree with my hon. Friend that this is a significant indicator of successful policies having been carried out in Scotland. The figures compare with emigration figures of 43,000 in the years 1966 and 1967. As my hon. Friend said, these are also the best figures for a very long time.

Mr. Grimond

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that the last thing that I want to do is to spoil the effect of this excellent Question? I have no doubt that he has taken a great deal of trouble. However, may I ask him not to be complacent? It is amazing that Scotland has any emigration, considering that it is now in the centre of the Texas of Europe. Have these figures been broken down? What is the situation regarding the Highlands and Islands?

Mr. Campbell

I cannot break them down into figures for different parts of Scotland, but net emigration overseas is estimated at 6,700, whereas the rest of the figure relates to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Millan

We very much welcome these figures, but I should like to take up the point made by the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond). Is not the situation very patchy? Are not the figures, in any case, likely to deteriorate if the unemployment situation deteriorates, as it inevitably will over the next few months? Is not the worrying factor about the Scottish situation generally that increased employment opportunities are very patchy and, in particular, are not likely to affect the endemic problem of high unemployment in West-Central Scotland? Will the Secretary of State turn his attention to getting the maximum of industrial opportunities from North Sea oil, not just for Scotland generally but particularly for West-Central Scotland?

Mr. Campbell

I am certainly not complacent about these figures. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman has introduced a sour note into what is very good news. He mentioned employment vacancies. That is another significant indicator, because vacancies are greater in Scotland than they have been since records have been kept. The unemployment situation in West-Central Scotland has improved over the past year to a greater extent than that of Scotland as a whole.