HC Deb 06 August 1980 vol 990 cc504-6
7. Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will cause the Scottish Economic Planning Department to make a study of the employment consequences of the Government's economic policy.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

My right hon. Friend and I already keep a close watch on developments in the Scottish economy. The Government's economic policies are designed to reduce inflation which is the main cause of loss of competitiveness and jobs in Scottish industry.

Mr. Hogg

Given that the Minister and his right hon. Friend keep a close watch on these matters, can he say what the rate of unemployment will be in Scotland by Christmas? What steps are being taken to alleviate unemployment, particularly among young people?

Mr. Fletcher

It is recognised by the Government that unemployment is still rising, but the hon. Gentleman will know that Ministers do not try to forecast the size of unemployment at any time ahead. Neither party in power has tried to do that. The hon. Gentleman asked about young people. The MSC has already stepped up considerably the youth opportunities programme in Scotland. It has been announced that the Government are considering what further steps might be taken for school leavers and other young unemployed to help to ease the present problem.

Mr. Henderson

Will my hon. Friend arrange for his Department to consider the employment effects of the ruthless use of monopoly trade union power and the work of spendthrift local authorities?

Mr. Fletcher

There is no doubt that over recent years the ruthless misuse of trade union power has caused a great deal of unemployment.

Mr. Dewar

Does the Minister con-skier that advice should be given to the unemployed to solve their problems by leaving Scotland?

Mr. Fletcher

That advice was not given by anyone in this Government, because the developments taking place in Scotland are not simply encouraging young people to seek jobs in various parts of Scotland—it is common knowledge that some parts of Scotland are more prosperous than others—but are encouraging new jobs and new industries to come to Scotland. The hon. Gentleman will be interested to know that in the year to February 1980 between 15,000 and 20,000 new jobs were created in existing manufacturing units in Scotland, and that several thousand new jobs were created in new companies.

Mr. Lang

Does my hon. Friend agree that one does not need to ask the SEPD to carry out a study of the employment effects of the previous Government, because the record speaks for itself? Not only did they more than double unemployment in their five years in office, but they so weakened jobs that many more have been lost since. Will my hon. Friend encourage his colleagues to persist with their policies, which we believe will create lasting jobs for the future?

Mr. Fletcher

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. Even the most pessimistic economic commentator does not suggest today that we shall come anywhere near the record on unemployment of the previous Government, who doubled the figures during their five years in office.