HC Deb 10 December 1975 vol 902 cc450-1
17. Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in Scotland.

Mr. Millan

The continued development of North Sea oil, the dispersal of Civil Service posts to Scotland, and the establishment of the Scottish Development Agency will all help to create new employment. The full range of assistance to industry under the Government's regional policies is available throughout Scotland and, in addition, special measures designed to help areas with high unemployment were announced by the Government on 24th September and 31st October.

Mr. Henderson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer 3s totally unacceptable to the people of Scotland, as is the present high level of unemployment? Is he further aware that the way in which the Government make their announcement on the position of Chrysler at Linwood this week will be a real test of their credibility in Scotland and for the future of the Labour Party in the West of Scotland?

Mr. Millan

The House knows that the Chrysler situation is under consideration at the minute. I am not able to say anything about it now.

Mr. Alexander Wilson

Is my right hon. Friend aware—and I am sure he is—that the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Henderson) represents a Scottish constituency with the lowest unemployment in Scotland, as a result of Government policies? Will my right hon. Friend try to hurry up the work of the SDA so that areas such as Hamilton in the West Central belt of Scotland will gain some benefit from Government policies, as has East Aberdeenshire?

Mr. Millan

I agree that the Aberdeenshire area has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the United Kingdom at present. If SNP policy had been followed, the vast majority of the 50,000, jobs that have been created from North Sea oil in Scotland would have been lost.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to extend the dock labour scheme in Scotland is resisted by all dock workers in the ports of Scotland that do not now have the scheme? Will the right hon. Gentleman urge his right hon. Friend to withdraw the extension of the scheme in the interests of safeguarding the employment of dockers in the smaller ports of Scotland?

Mr. Millan

I do not think that that is the position, but the Bill has already been discussed in the House. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the provisions of the Bill during the course of the current Session.