§ 24. Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much unemployment has increased in North Lanarkshire since 1979; and what is the comparative national percentage unemployment level.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherOver the period since April 1979, total unemployment in the North Lanarkshire travel-to-work area has increased by 11,900. The unemployment percentage rate in April 1981 was 18.5 per cent. compared with a rate of 12.7 per cent. for Scotland and 10.4 per cent. for the United Kingdom.