§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the overall effect of the oil-related industries on employment in Scotland since 1976.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherIt is estimated that in June 1981 the overall contribution of oil-related industries to employment in Scotland was in the range 80,000–95,000 jobs. Of this total, the Manpower Services Commission's six monthly survey of oil related companies has found that nearly 50,000 jobs were in firms which are wholly oil-related. The remainder are to be found in firms which are engaged in short term construction projects or are partly or indirectly oil related either as suppliers to the industry or through local demand effects. The comparable estimates for 1981 and earlier years are set out below.
Total Mid 1977 48,000–58,000 Mid 1978 55,000–65,000 Mid 1979 70,000–85,000 Mid 1980 75,000–90,000 Mid 1981 80,000–95,000