HC Deb 10 April 1974 vol 872 cc401-3
3. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)

Appointments to the council expired on 28th February, and I am at present considering the question of new membership.

Mr. Taylor

Is the Secretary of State aware of the real concern in Scotland and on this side of the House about the effect of the Budget on jobs and prosperity in Scotland, particularly on the viability of Scottish industry? When the new council is appointed will the right hon. Gentleman make its first task to consider whether the Budget will create more unemployment in Scotland?

Mr. Ross

The Budget, to get it into perspective, was necessitated by the condition of the economy that we inherited. The hon. Gentleman did not vote against anything in the Budget.

The council has been renamed the Scottish Economic Council. The hon. Gentleman slipped up on that one, too. The Scottish Economic Planning Council was allowed to lapse. I do not know whether the previous administration intended to carry it on again. If so, they should have taken action long before. I take note of the indication of priority laid down by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Younger

Will the Secretary of State ask the council at its first meeting to produce a study for publication of the number of jobs in Scotland which are likely to be lost due to the ill-considered actions by the Government in cutting off export orders for certain countries which are extremely valuable to Scotland, and to Clydeside in particular?

Mr. Ross

The council does not exist at the moment. The hon. Gentleman must appreciate that this is due to the failure of the previous Government to take timely action. I shall reconstitute it and review the nature of its work

Mr. MacArthur

When the right hon. Gentleman reviews the nature of the council's work will he require a study in depth and publish its findings, showing the impact on the Scottish economy of the recent Budget, the cost to Scottish industry of the steep increase in taxation on businesses and the extra cost to individuals in Scotland who will have to pay £1.56 per household more than before as a direct consequence of the Government's Budget proposals?

Mr. Ross

Judging by the misleading information that the hon. Gentleman has and the impression that he is giving about the effect of the Budget on Scotland, it is necessary for somebody to make a study of these matters, because I do not accept his figures