§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many building workers are unemployed in Scotland at the latest date; and what the figures were in March 1979.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherInformation is not available in the precise form requested. On 13 August 1981, 48,475 people who last worked in the construction industry were registered as unemployed in Scotland. The comparable figure for 8 February 1979—the nearest date to March 1979 for which information is available—was 30,464.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce unemployment in the building industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe creation of a healthy economy offers the best prospects for a reduction in unemployment in the construction industry in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The contribution which the construction industry can make to the creation of new jobs was recognised by the inclusion in the Budget proposals of a number of measures to help the construction sector.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage of unemployed construction workers in Scotland at the latest date compared with the present number of registered employed in the industry; and how these percentages compare with March 1979.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherIn August 1981 the number of people registered as unemployed in Scotland who had last worked in the construction industy represented 25.4 per cent. of the estimated construction industry labour force in Scotland—employed and unemployed. The comparable figure for February 1979—the nearest date to March 1979 for which information is available—was 15.7 per cent. Both figures are provisional and are subject to revision when the results of the 1981 census of employment results become available.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the latest available estimate of the 211W number of (a) skilled construction workers and (b) unskilled construction workers who are unemployed in each of the travel-to-work areas in the Strathclyde region, apart from Glagow; and what were the figures in May 1979;
(2) what is the latest available estimate of the number of (a) skilled construction workers and (b) unskilled construction workers who are unemployed in (i) each of the travel-to-work areas in the city of Glasgow and (ii) in Glasgow as a whole; and what were the figures in May 1979.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry in Glasgow and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe creation of a healthy economy offers the best prospects for a reduction in unemployment in the construction industry in Glasgow and elswhere in the United Kingdom. The contribution which the construction industry can make to the creation of new jobs was recognised by the inclusion in the Budget proposals of a number of measures to help the construction sector.