HC Deb 22 October 1986 vol 102 cc921-2W
18. Mrs. McCurley

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on private hospital development in Scotland.

Mr. John MacKay

Under section 14 of the Health Services Act 1976, as amended by section 14 of the Health Services Act 1980, private hospital developers are required to notify the Secretary of State of proposals to establish

Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest level of unemployment in Scotland.

Mr. Rifkind

On 11 September 1986, the latest date for which information is available, the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland totalled 363,037 (14.4 per cent.).

The problem of high unemployment remains, of course, a major concern. Employment prospects for all unemployed people will best be enhanced by a better economic performance and increased industrial competitiveness which the Government's policies are designed to secure. In the meantime, the full range of the Government's special employment and training measures are available to those hardest hit by unemployment.