§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of those currently unemployed in Dundee by standard industrial classification; and how this compares with a year ago.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe following table gives the information requested at May 1980—the latest date for which an analysis by industry of the unemployment register is available—and at May 1979.
NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN DUNDEE Industry Group May 1980 May 1979 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing 182 142 Mining and Quarrying 60 64 Food, Drink and Tobacco 338 358 Coal and Petroleum Products 5 13 Chemicals and Allied Products 22 28 Metal Manufacture 58 60 Mechanical Engineering 135 146 Instrument Engineering 465 366 Electrical Engineering 194 178 Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering 242 81 Vehicles 14 15 Metal Goods not elsewhere specified 59 48 Textiles 1,076 1,085 Leather, Leather Goods etc. 7 4 Clothing and Footwear 157 86 Bricks, Pottery etc. 15 10 Timber, Furniture 68 57 Paper, Printing etc. 183 127 Other Manufacturing Industries 103 93 Construction 892 690 Gas, Electricity and Water 16 21 Transport and Communication 332 310 Distributive Trades 989 830 Insurance, Banking etc. 141 109 Professional and Scientific Services 515 416 Miscellaneous Services 992 779 Public Administration 533 619 Not classified by industry 1,576 1,374 Total 9,369 8,109
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when next he will meet Dundee district council to discuss the level of unemployment in Dundee.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI met representatives of Dundee district council on my right hon. Friend's behalf on 4 July to discuss the level of unemployment in Dundee. Although my right hon. Friend has at present no plans for a further meeting, he is therefore fully aware of the district council's concern about this matter.
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§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the unemployment rate for Dundee now standing at 11–9 per cent., if he will introduce a public investment package to relieve unemployment in the city.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherSubstantial assistance is already being offered to Dundee. The special problems of the city were recognised by the Government when, following last year's review of regional policy, Dundee was retained in the highest category of assisted area status. In addition, the Scottish Development Agency is planning to spend around £4–5 million in Dundee on an integrated development project involving small business development, land renewal, factory building and industrial production.