§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the annual average unemployment figures for Hamilton subdistrict of Lan- 142W arkshire and Larkhall subdistrict of Lanarkshire; and if he will express these figures as actual and percentages of the total.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherIt is not possible to provide information in the precise form requested since separate unemployment rates for the Hamilton and Larkhall sub districts are not available. In 1979 the average numbers unemployed in these areas were 2,717 and 935, respectively. The average percentage rate in 1979 for the North Lanarkshire travel-to-work area, which also includes Airdrie, Bellshill, Blantyre, Coatbridge, Motherwell, Shotts, Uddingston and Wishaw employment office areas, was 11.7 per cent.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the actual and percentage unemployment figures for Lanarkshire district for May 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe figures for which the hon. Member asks will require calculation and I shall write to him as soon as possible.