§ 21. Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartOn 6 March 1986 the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland was 359,318–3,382 fewer than in the previous month, and the second fall this year. While this is encouraging, the seasonally adjusted figures rose by 3,300 and the problem of high unemployment remains a major concern. The key to improvements in employment prospects lies in better economic performance and greater flexibility in the labour market and these are high priorities for the Government—as demonstrated by our recent Budget measures.
§ 29. Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he makes of the current ratio of the number of persons unemployed in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth to the number of vacancies.
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§ Mr. Allan StewartNo such ratio estimates are made by my right hon. and learned Friend because they would be misleading. Unemployment and vacancy statistics are compiled on different geographical bases and the latter statistics are incomplete because of the significant number of vacancies which employers fill without recourse to the vacancy service offered by jobcentres.
On 6 March 1986 the number of people unemployed in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency was 4,781. On 7 March 1986 the number of unfilled vacancies notified to the jobcentres at Cumbernauld and Kilsyth was 169.