HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc483-4W
Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the number of job losses in Scotland over the last two months. [56122]

Mr. Macdonald

In recent weeks there have been several significant job loss and job creation announcements. The net balance of these job losses and gains can be judged only some months afterwards, as company plans often change. The latest official figures on a non-seasonally adjusted basis show that, over the year to June-August 1998, ILO unemployment in Scotland fell by 26,000 and that total employment increased by 13,000.