§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs are in prospect in Scotland and in Fife, respectively; and how many are likely to be for males and for females, respectively.
§ Mr. JayNo comprehensive forecasts of future increases in employment by individual firms are available, but estimates made by applicants for industrial development certificates show that building projects in Scotland which have been approved but not yet completed would, if circumstances do not change, provide about 35,000 jobs when in full operation, rather more than half of them for men. The comparable figures for Fife are about 5,000, and rather under half, respectively. Some projects which have been completed will not yet have expanded their employment to the expected levels.
598Wwill be needed. The precise total requirements have not yet been determined but steps are already being taken to recruit at least 40 staff with qualifications in physics, mathematics and all branches of engineering. Some of these will come from other Government Departments but I am seeking suitable recruits from industry as well.