§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 3 July 1985 at column155. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Paymaster General 156W has indicated in his reply today to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon), the Government are spending £1.2 billion in the current year on help for long-term unemployed people throughout Great Britain.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce youth unemployment in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend the Paymaster General gave him today. The key to improved employment prospects for all unemployed people, in Scotland as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, lies in the better economic performance and increased industrial competitiveness which the Government's policies are designed to secure.
In the meantime, the full range of the Government's special employment and training measures is available to young people in Scotland, who will benefit from the expansion of these measures announced in the Budget statement.