HC Deb 29 July 1971 vol 822 cc138-40W
5. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of jobs in the electronics industry in Scotland in each year since 1960; and what the prospects are for the next two years

Mr. David Howell

I would expect the measures recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to help create a climate in which the industry could prosper. Detailed information on the numbers employed in electronics in Scotland, in each year from 1960 to 1970, is as follows:

country of the Common Market and in the European Economic Community as a whole compared with the average rate in the United Kingdom over the last 10 years.

Mr. R. Carr

The following table shows the figures for each of the countries separately. Information for the European Economic Community as a whole is not available from international sources.

Average rate of unemployment 1960–69
Belgium 2.1
France 1.5
Germany (Federal Republic) 0.8
Italy 3.4
Luxembourg 0.1
Netherlands 1.2
United Kingdom 2.1

Because of differences in scope, definitions and concept, the statistics for different countries are not necessarily comparable.

24. Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the movement of labour between the European Economic Community and the United Kingdom when the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community.

Mr. R. Carr

Although it is not possible to make a precise estimate, there is no reason to believe that the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community will have any significant effect on the movement of labour already taking place between member countries of the Community and the United Kingdom.

40. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria he will use when granting applications for work vouchers to aliens from countries in the European Economic Community and outside it, respectively, if Great Britain decides to enter the European Economic Community.

Mr. Bryan

If we decide to enter the E.E.C., the Community's regulations will apply and nationals of member countries will be free to enter this country, without a work permit, to look for work or to take a job already arranged.

When considering applications for work permits for nationals of countries outside the E.E.C., the criteria to be applied will be reviewed from time to time in the light of changing circumstances.

45. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the interchangeability of labour under the Treaty of Rome will enable workers from the countries of the Six to enter Great Britain and take up jobs where British workers are engaged in industrial disputes.

Mr. Bryan

E.E.C. nationals allowed into this country to take work would have access to employment on the same basis as British workers.