§ 24. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the unemployment situation in Scotland.
§ 26. Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest Scottish unemployment figures and announce what action he proposes to take to reduce the number of unemployed people in Scotland.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherOn 13 November, seasonally adjusted unemployment in Scotland was 238,800—10.6 per cent. I share hon. Members' concern about the upward trend in unemployment in Scotland. The only sound solution is to control inflation, and there are signs that our policies to this end are taking effect. At the same time, we are taking steps to alleviate the worst effects of unemployment—particularly among young people—through the special employment measures, which are being substantially expanded in 1981–82.