§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the current percentage rate of total and male unemployment in Scotland compares with other European Economic Community countries.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherInformation is not available in the form requested. On 14 May 1981 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Scotland was 12.3 per cent. and the comparable rate for male unemployment was 14.5 per cent.
The following table shows the percentage rates for total and male unemployment in the United Kingdom and other member countries of the European Economic Community for May 1981, the latest month for which information is available. These rates are not comparable with the Scottish seasonally adjusted rate since they have been partially standardised.
Percentage unemployment rates Total Male Belgium 10.5 7.0 Denmark 7.8 8.5 France 7.2 5.8 Germany 4.2 3.4 Greece 0.8 0.8 Ireland 10.1 10.8 Italy 8.4 6.7 Luxembourg 0.8 0.6 Netherlands 6.5 6.4 United Kingdom 9.8 11.7 Note: Table compiled by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Definitions and methods of compilation of statistics vary between countries and therefore the figures are not fully comparable; in some cases they may vary from the standard national figures.