§ 65. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Labour what increase in the insured population is expected in the next seven years in Scotland.
§ Mr. HareOn the basis of the projected natural increase in the population to 1971, without any allowance for migration and assuming a participation rate based on recent trends, there would be an increase of approximately 140,000 in the number of employees in Scotland in the next seven years.
§ 66. Mrs. Hartasked the Minister of Labour what is the present employed population in Scotland; and by what number it would be expected to increase in the next seven years as a result of the faster rate of economic growth recommended by the National Economic Development Council.
§ Mr. HareEstimates of the employed population can only be made for the mid-year. The figure for mid-1962 is 2,121,300. I regret that the figure for mid-1963 is not yet available. I cannot commit myself to a forecast of the numbers in seven years' time.
§ 67. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the number of jobs likely to be lost in Scotland in the next seven years as a result of further contraction in manpower in declining industries.
§ Mr. HareThere are many uncertainties in estimates of this kind and I am not in a position to make a reliable forecast.