§ 32. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the diminution of oil-related activity on Scottish employment and output.
§ Mr. LangThe decline in oil-related activity resulting from the fall in the price of oil is estimated to have resulted 245W in the loss of 20,000 jobs in Scotland in 1986, broadly equivalent to 1 per cent. of total Scottish employment. The downturn in oil-related activity is likely to continue to have an adverse effect on the Scottish economy in the short term and this is a source of concern. However, Scottish industry should be well placed to capitalise on the opportunities provided by the anticipated recovery in the United Kingdom and world economies in 1987.