§ Q4. Mr. David Steelasked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the Border.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House knows, I was in Scotland on Tuesday in connection with the State visit of the King of Sweden. I have no immediate plans for a further visit to Scotland but hope to be there later in the year.
§ Mr. SteelIf and when the Prime Minister comes to the Borders, as I hope he will, is he aware that he will find an area which produces a very high level of exports and has a very low level of industrial disputes but which, sadly, has below the national level of income? For that reason, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that my constituents are very concerned that the Government should take really effective measures to control inflation? What assurance can the right hon. Gentleman give them that the Government will act resolutely, take the necessary powers and not be found guilty of cowardice in the face of their friends?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Gentleman will be able to judge that, and I hope that with his customary fairness he will be able to give full support to the White Paper when he reads it. I am aware of the problems in the area he has described, including, of course, a lot of anxiety on the textile and clothing question, which he has raised previously.
Concerning Scotland as a whole, while unemployment is still far too high, the ratio of unemployment between Scotland —this is true of the Borders, too—and south of the border is at its lowest-ever level since figures were collected and has been falling rapidly as a ratio over the past few months.