Unemployment

HC Deb 09 July 1980 vol 988 cc520-3

2. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the level of unemployment in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

9. Mr. Robert Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment in Scotland.

11. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Scotland.

Mr. Younger

I share the hon. Member's concern and have received representations from, among others, the Scottish Trades Union Congress about current levels of unemployment in Scotland which reflect a general trend which has continued since 1974. The Government are determined to attack the root causes of inflation—which has weakened industry and destroyed many jobs—while relieving the worst effects of unemployment by our programme of special employment measures and the enlargement of the special development area in West Central Scotland.

Mr. Strang

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing feeling throughout Scotland, not only in the Labour movement, but among his traditional supporters in industry, that he has no appreciation of the enormity of the damage that Government policies are inflicting on the Scottish economy? Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that we have reached a point where in many working-class communities in Scotland more than half of this year's school leavers have no hope of obtaining a permanent job? When will the right hon. Gentleman change course?

Mr. Younger

If the hon. Gentleman were sitting in my place he would have no difficulty in realising the seriousness of the position. It is a pity that he did not realise it when he was a member of the previous Administration which weakened industry for five long years.

Mr. Robert Hughes

As the Secretary of State apparently expresses concern about the level of unemployment in Scotland, why has he reduced the amount of money within his budget for assistance to industry? Does not that give the lie to his claim that he is concerned?

Mr. Younger

I express concern because I feel concern. I have been forced to reduce budgets because the previous Labour Government spent more money than they earned.

Mr. David Steel

Is the Secretary of State aware that, although the Borders region has had the lowest level of unemployment until now, the closures that have been announced in the last few days in Selkirk and Galashiels will have a serious effect on the community? Is he aware that that extra unemployment will add to the depopulation trends of the past year? Can the right hon. Gentleman name one industrialist who believes that the Government's economic policies in Scotland should be proceeded with un-altered?

Mr. Younger

As I have done, the right hon. Gentleman will have read the recent statement of the CBI. He will have noticed that its general support for our strategy has remained unchanged. I recognise the right hon. Gentleman's concern about his constituency. There is concern there, just as there is everywhere else. The Scottish unemployment rate is 9.9 per cent., but unemployment in his constituency varies between 2.7 per cent. and 4.2 per cent. He should therefore feel some satisfaction.

Mr. Ancram

Is not my right hon. Friend surprised at the pious hypocrisy shown by some Opposition Members? Did not unemployment in percentage terms rise faster during the previous Labour Government's first year of office than it has in the past year? Is not my right hon. Friend amazed at the sight of the job destroyers of yesterday suddenly emerging as the job protectors of today?

Mr. Younger

What surprises me is that I have spent five years listening to Opposition Members destroy the strength of Scottish industry. I never heard a cheep then from Labour Members about concern for unemployment.

Mr. Millan

Does not the Secretary of State understand the desperation that exists in much of Scottish industry? Does he not understand that his futile and complacent answers will add to that feeling of desperation?

Mr. Younger

The answers that I am giving show much more concern than the right hon. Gentleman showed during the five years in which he doubled unemployment in Scotland.

Mr. Sproat

Does my right hon Friend agree that it looks as if a second oil boom will come to Scotland? Did not the first oil boom produce at least 60,000 jobs in Scotland? Is it not likely that Scotland will have the benefit of a further 60,000 jobs if we play our cards right?

Mr. Younger

The next stage of oil development will probably produce more jobs than the previous round. My hon. Friend will be aware that the gas gathering pipe-line—to which my right hon. Friend has recently given the go-ahead—will also provide many jobs in Scotland.

Mr. Cook

Will the Secretary of State at least accept that he has direct responsibility for the loss of job opportunities in the public sector? Is he aware that Lothian health board has a paper before it that indicates that, if it stays within the right hon. Gentleman's cash limits, it will have to shed 700 posts, including those of over 300 nurses and a dozen doctors? Is he also aware that his junior Minister does not have the courage to meet Members of Parliament for the Lothian region in order to discuss the crisis that he has created?

Mr. Younger

The last thing that I wish to do is to reduce the number of employees anywhere in Scotland, particularly those in my Department. The hon. Gentleman must face the fact that as his colleagues spent so much more money than they earned, there is no money left for such schemes.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. There are several other questions about employment in Scotland.