§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of a policy of industrial development to increase Scottish employment by a net 100,000 jobs; and if he will take steps to implement this.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellIt is not possible to make an estimate because the cost to the Exchequer would depend on many factors, which cannot be accurately forecast.
The Government are already pursuing policies aimed at providing more jobs in Scotland, both through regional measures and through measures to achieve a higher rate of growth in the United Kingdom economy, which is indispensable if regional measures are to be successful. A series of measures has also been taken to secure the lower rate of inflation which is necessary for the maintenance of faster economic growth.