§ 23. Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he intends to take to deal with unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanI described to the hon. Member on 10th December and 21st January the substantial measures we have already taken. Further measures were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12th February, including additional help for the construction industry, extensions of the temporary employment and school leavers recruitment subsidies and the job creation scheme, assistance to encourage Stockbuilding in certain industries, and more finance for industrial training.—[Vol. 902, c. 450–1; Vol. 903, c. 1332–3.]
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of that rather complacent answer, is the Minister aware that the number of redundancies being created in Scottish factories is far outstripping anything produced by the job creation scheme and that in the period up to January, although 2,000 jobs were provided under the scheme, 10,000 jobs were lost?
§ Mr. MillanMy answer was not complacent. I have said repeatedly that the unemployment figures are too high, but they are factual answers and the measures which I have described are having an appreciable effect.