HC Deb 15 December 1982 vol 34 cc278-9
10. Mr. James Hamilton

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

Mr. Younger

After some deterioration in the middle quarters of the year, the latest figures for October and November point to some easing in the rate of increase in unemployment. Over the past year the gap between Scotland and United Kingdom rates of unemployment has narrowed from 1.9 percentage points to 1.7 percentage points.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the figures he has given are inaccurate, as we have had an upsurge of unemployment in Scotland? Is he further aware that the people of Scotland are now most despondent because the Government's policies are not working? Will he assure us that the over-forties will get a job some time during the Government's lifetime. If he cannot give that assurance, will he fight once and for all for Scotland, and if the Cabinet does not agree with him will he and his hon. Friends on the Front Bench resign, as a sign that they are fighting tenaciously for Scotland?

Mr. Younger

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman said that the figures were inaccurate. He did not produce any evidence to support that and, of course, they are totally accurate. The differential between Scotland and England has marginally improved. It is also worth noting that, as regards the index of industrial production, during the year ending June 1982, in the United Kingdom total industrial production fell by 0.6 per cent. whereas in Scotland it rose by 1.6 per cent. In the United Kingdom, manufacturing production fell by 0.4 per cent. and in Scotland it rose by 2.1 per cent. It is encouraging news for Scotland compared with the United Kingdom.

Mr. Maclennan

Can the Secretary of State clarify his answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Mabon) when he said that the Government were engaged in major new initiatives of which he would know and which would lead to new jobs? Is the Secretary of State referring to developments in the North sea, North Alwyn and the Clyde? That cannot be regarded as doing more than replacing existing jobs?

Mr. Younger

If one puts it that way, all efforts to produce new jobs are replacing existing jobs. The list is far too long for me to give all the other initiatives, but we start with the industrial development drive and continue with the youth training scheme and the £2 billion of help for unemployed people. Those are major initiatives by any standard.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my right hon. Friend agree that yesterday's White Paper on defence, which announced that frigates were to be built by Yarrow's on the Clyde, is good news for Scotland?

Mr. Younger

I thoroughly agree with my hon. Friend. I am somewhat surprised that we did not find an early-day motion on the Order Paper tabled by Opposition Members welcoming that decision.

Mr. Craigen

What effect on employment trends does the Secretary of State expect from his further pressures on local authorities in Scotland and on public expenditure generally?

Mr. Younger

My policy is directed to increasing employment in industry and wherever it can be productive. In Scottish local authorities there are approximately 10 more persons per thousand population employed than in local authorities in England. The cost falls entirely on the ratepayers and taxpayers, who are finding it hard to carry the burden.

Mr. Millan

Is the Secretary of State aware that we are not interested in the reduction in the rate of increase of unemployment? We are looking for a reduction in unemployment. The Chancellor has calculated that over the next year unemployment in the United Kingdom will increase by no less than 300,000. What is the Scottish percentage of that and when will the figure start to decrease?

Mr. Younger

The right hon. Gentleman spent five years in office looking for a reduction in unemployment, but presided over its doubling. He knows all about that. With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's last point, when at the Dispatch Box he always refused to make forecasts of unemployment. I believe that on that, at least, he was right.