HC Deb 25 February 1970 vol 796 cc345-7W
Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase in employment in professional and scientific services, distribution and other services, will be required in the current year to fulfil the prediction of a 60,000 increase in employment in these sectors by 1970, contained in paragraph 26 of Command Paper No. 2864; and how this compares with the out-turn in each of the past five years.

Mr. Ross

Employment in expanding sectors of these service industries increased by 57,000 between mid-1964 and mid-1968, compared with a forecast of 60,000 for the period 1964–70 referred to by the hon. Member. Since the figures for 1969 are not yet available, it is not possible to make a calculation relating

Mr. Ross

The figures given below relate to gross current expenditure income from fees being disregarded. Residential costs are excluded. Figures for the United Kingdom are not available.

the current calendar year to each of the past five years on the lines required by the hon. Member.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the percentage increase in the number of employees in employment during the current calendar year required to fulfil the predictions in Table B of page 9 of Command Paper No. 2864; and how this compares with the actual out-turn in each of the past five years.

Mr. Ross

The latest available figures of employees in employment relate to March, 1969. It is therefore not practicable to make a calculation in the form required by the hon. Member. I have, however, frequently made it clear that, while the growth of new jobs in Scotland is well up to expectations, the number of jobs lost by accelerated industrial change is greater than was contemplated.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what net increase in employment in all production industries, in manufacturing industries, in construction, and in gas, electricity and water, respectively, will be required in the current calendar year to fulfil the predictions contained in Table A on page 8 of Command Paper No. 2864; and how this will compare with the out-turn in each of these categories in each of the past five years.

Mr. Ross

Separate statistics of employment in the industries in question down to June, 1968, are given in Table 40 of the Digest of Scottish Statistics for October, 1969. Since these are the latest figures available, it is not practicable to make a prediction for the current calendar year on the basis which he requires.