§ Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will evaluate (a) the product-moment correlation coefficient and (b) the rank order correlation coefficient between (i) the average annual number of unemployed males in Dundee and (ii) the number of males in Dundee dying of ischaemic heart disease since 1970, assuming a one-year time lapse between (a) and (b); and what is the level of significance of each of the coefficients.
159W§ Mr. Allan Stewart:Assuming a one year time lapse between (i) and (ii), the coefficients requested are (a) 26 and (b) 47. Neither is statistically significant.
Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will evaluate (a) the product-moment correlation coefficient and (b) the rank order correlation coefficient between (i) the number of males out of work for one year or over and (ii) the number of males dying of ischaemic heart disease in Dundee since 1970, assuming a one-year time lapse between (a) and (b); and what is the level of significance of each of the coefficients.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart:Assuming a one year time lapse between (i) and (ii), the coefficients requested are (a) 35 and (b) 48. Neither is statistically significant.
Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to consider the request from the hon. Member for Dundee, West to study the relationship between unemployment and health.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart:The Department of Health and Social Security, in consultation with my Department, is continuing to explore the opportunities for research initiatives in this difficult field. Much work remains to be done, and therefore I am not in yet in a position to give an indication of the possible nature and extent of my Department's participation.