§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of new jobs, resulting from North Sea oil discoveries, that have been created since June, 1970, and will be created over the next five and 10 years, respectively, in the North-East, and in Scotland, respectively.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe number created directly since June, 1970, or now in prospect is estimated very approximately at 7,500. It is not possible to make realistic estimates for the periods in the future, since new discoveries are likely to continue and new schemes are likely to be formulated by those whose exploration proves successful. As I stated in the House on 12th July, the important task is to enable the maximumof new jobs to be created in Scotland in the future without delay.—[Vol. 840, c. 1547–9.]