HC Deb 03 March 1976 vol 906 cc1295-7
10. Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for reducing unemployment in the Western Isles.

Mr. Millan

The hon. Member will be aware of the measures taken by the Government to alleviate unemployment, including those announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12th February, which will be of benefit to the Western Isles as well as to the rest of the country. The Western Isles are also a priority area in the development strategy of the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

Mr. Stewart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer follows roughly the same lines as answers I have always received? Is he aware that in my constituency there were 22 per cent. unemployed last month and 17 per cent. this month? Does it not all boil down to the fact that the Minister has no plans and virtually could not care less?

Mr. Millan

The unemployment figure is too high. If the hon. Member would occasionally put a constructive idea to me, I would look at it. The Nigg refinery which my right hon. Friend approved this week will be useful to the Highlands but I notice that the leader of the SNP has come out against that refinery.

Mr. Alexander Wilson

In considering plans for reducing unemployment in Scotland, will my right hon. Friend now make a rapid decision to give the go-ahead to the Stonehouse new town to alleviate unemployment in Hamilton and adjacent constituencies?

Mr. Millan

There is a later Question on that matter and I think that it would be in accordance with the normal conventions if I did not comment now.

Mr. MacCormick

Bearing in mind that the Nigg refinery is as far from the Western Isles and my constituency as Paris is from London, would the right hon. Gentleman agree that a constructive criticism or suggestion might be that he should impinge upon the Chancellor's mind the idea that further punishment of the whisky industry would greatly harm employment prospects in islands like Islay?

Mr. Millan

I do not accept that the whisky industry has been punished. As I have said several times, if hon. Members will put sensible ideas to me about their constituencies, I am always willing to look at them, but when it comes to SNP constituencies sensible ideas are few and far between.

Dr. M. S. Miller

My right hon. Friend must not be too parochial when he makes a decision. Does he agree that, while it is important that there should be reductions in unemployment in the Western Isles and other parts of Scotland, it is also important that he and his right hon. Friend should not be seen to be against a reduction in unemployment in other parts of the United Kingdom, which are just as badly hit as many areas in Scotland?

Mr. Millan

Unemployment figures everywhere are too high. We want to see them brought down.