§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many working days are estimated to have been lost in Scotland in the past year through (a) short-time working, (b) unemployment and (c) industrial action.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe number of working days lost in Scotland in the first half of 1980 due to industrial stoppages was 474,000; figures for the second half of the year and 1980 as a whole will be published in theEmployment Gazette of 30 July. Comparable information on short-time working and unemployment is not available. Hours lost through short-time working are recorded only for operatives in manufacturing industry: the average weekly number of hours lost in Scotland during 1980 was 291,600 and involved 17,275 operatives. During 1980 the monthly average of numbers unemployed was 225,700.