§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in the numbers of long-term unemployed in Scotland in each of the last four years, defining long-term unemployed as those out of work for longer than 52 weeks.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's letter of 22 October 1984. Information relating to the numbers of unemployed in Scotland for over 52 weeks is available in the Library. It is difficult to make comparisions between the figures over the last four years because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, and the effect of the 1983 Budget provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 and over, no longer have to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of people unemployed in Scotland whose last known employment was in the construction industry at the most recent date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. YoungerThe information requested is available in the Library. The industrial analysis of the unemployed registrants from which this information is obtained was discontinued in May 1982 which is therefore the latest date for which the information is available.