HC Deb 02 November 1983 vol 47 cc394-5W
16. Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of unemployment in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

On 8 September 1983, the latest date for which information is available, the seasonally adjusted figure for unemployment in Scotland stood at 313,300 or 14 per cent.

18. Mr. MacKenzie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the unemployment of young people in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

We recognise the difficulties which many young people face in obtaining work. That is why we have introduced the youth training scheme, which gives an opportunity for all 16-year-old school leavers and many 17-year-olds to obtain a year of work experience combined with relevant education and training. But in the longer term secure jobs depend upon the economic recovery which the Government's present policies are designed to achieve.

26. Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the level of unemployment that will result from the most recent public spending cuts in Scotland.

Mr. Ancram

There has been no overall cut in public expenditure as a result of the statement by my right hon.

Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7 July. The consequent revisions to cash limits and nationalised industries' external financing limits were necessary because some programmes were overrunning and prompt action was required to ensure that the total for the current year is not exceeded.

It is not possible to make precise estimates of the effects of these changes on the level of unemployment, but without them our economic recovery and the new jobs it is bringing would have been put at risk.

28. Mr. David Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the present levels of unemployment in Glasgow.

Mr. Allan Stewart

On 8 September 1983, the latest date for which information is available, the number of unemployed claimants in the Glasgow travel-to-work area was 97,673 or 16.7 per cent. The continuing high level of unemployment in Glasgow still gives cause for concern, and as part of the west of Scotland special development area, Glasgow qualifies for the maximum level of regional incentives to industry.