HC Deb 24 November 1965 vol 721 c72W
98. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the small increase in the population of Scotland between 1951 and 1961, as revealed in the present census return, what short-term proposals Her Majesty's Government have to remedy this situation.

Mr. Ross

The smallness of the increase in the population of Scotland between 1951 and 1961 was due to the high level of net emigration which, in turn, reflected chronic problems of unemployment, under-employment and structural imbalance in the Scottish economy in that period. The remedy lies not in short-term proposals but in long-term measures which will be set out in White Papers and legislation soon to be laid before the House.