§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each district and islands authority area within the area covered by the Highlands and Islands Development Board and for each district authority area adjacent to it the average level of unemployment expressed as a percentage in each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1984, c. 28–29]: The information is not available in the precise form requested as unemployment statistics are not compiled by local authority district. The following table lists the average annual unemployment percentage rates for each travel-to-work area in, and adjacent to, the area covered by the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) for the years 1974 to 1983 inclusive.
§ Mr. BiffenThis is a matter for decision by the House, and I have no doubt that right hon. and hon. Members will in due course wish to have a further opportunity to consider this matter.