Mr. ErnieRoss asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times he and other Scottish Office Ministers have met representatives of the following organisations in the past year to discuss unemployment: (a) Scottish Trades Union Congress, (b) Glasgow district council, (c) Dundee district council and (d) Strathclyde regional council.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherMy right hon. Friend has met representatives of the STUC on two occasions in the past year specifically to discuss unemployment and has indicated that he is prepared to meet them at any time they wish. I have met representatives of Dundee district council to discuss unemployment on three occasions and Strathclyde regional council on one occasion. My right hon. Friend and I have many informal contacts with representatives of local authorities, in the course of which matters related to employment and unemployment are discussed.