§ 30. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on youth unemployment in Scotland, with particular reference to the prospects for the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieThe Government recognise that youth unemployment in Scotland is unacceptably high, although the position is showing signs of improvement. We shall continue to take positive steps to alleviate the problems of young people seeking work both through our economic policies, which are bringing about the fundamental improvements on which employment prospects depend, and through schemes such as the youth opportunities programme, which are providing short-term employment for young people and at the same time enhancing their prospects of finding a permanent job.