§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest level of unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. LangSince January seasonally adjusted unemployment in Scotland has fallen by over 12,000, and in May 1987 stood at 337,100, some 2,000 lower than the previous May. Had it not been for the adverse effects of the oil price fall on oil-related activity in Scotland, the fall over the past year would have been greater.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. LangThere has been a fall of over 12,000 in seasonally adjusted unemployment in Scotland so far this year. The Government will continue to pursue the policies of sound financial management designed to reduce inflation, and to promote investment, enterprise and increased employment. Scotland will receive her full share of places on the various national employment, enterprise and training schemes. Economic development and job creation in Scotland will also benefit from the operation of regional incentives and the activities of the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons under 21 years of age were unemployed in Scotland at the most recent date.
§ Mr. LangThe information is not available in the precise form requested. On 9 April 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 57,540 unemployed claimants in Scotland aged 19 and under and 74,132 aged 20 to 24.
This information is available in the Library.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of long-term unemployed in Scotland at the latest date.
§ Mr. LangOn 9 April 1987 (the latest date for which information is available) there were 146,701 claimants in Scotland who had been unemployed for more than one year.
This information is available in the Library