§ Mr. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the effect on employment of the rationalisation of steel production in the United 523W Kingdom and the removal of products from Scottish steel works.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldI have been asked to reply.
It is difficult to distinguish the effects on employment of the rationalisation of steel production from other factors. In the case of BSC the reduction in employment on iron and steel activities in recent years, from all causes, has been proportionately much the same in Scotland as in the rest of the United Kingdom. As a result of the decisions on Scottish closures announced on 6th August 1975, the range of steel products made in Scotland by BSC is expected to remain stable into the 1980s.