§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firms have set up new businesses in Scotland in the period May 1979 to April 1989; what type of businesses they were; how many jobs were created; and where those firms were located.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1989]: Between 1 January 1980 and 1 January 1989, the number of companies registered in Scotland rose by just under 20,000, or by more than one half.
Information on jobs created from new openings is available only for the manufacturing sector. The definition used includes existing plants rising above the employment threshold of 11 and also includes in some cases existing businesses changing address or expansions to new sites.
One thousand, three hundred and eighty-five manufacturing plants opened in Scotland between 1979 and 1987, and 994 were still open at the end of 1987 with a total employment of 44,001. Tables 1 and 2 show the industry breakdown and the local authority breakdown of these plants. Figures for the period after 1987 are not yet available.
Table 1 Local authority region Number of manufacturing plants opened January 1979 to 1December 1987 21987 Employment Borders 37 1,115 Central 64 2,072 Dumfries and Galloway 27 972 Fife 106 3.578 Grampian 107 3.633 Highland, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles 43 818 Lothian 171 7,084 Strathclyde 703 20,779 Tayside 127 3,950 Total Scotland 1,385 44,001 Source: Regional Data System. Notes: 1 This figure includes plants closing prior to December 1987. 2 Employment relates to 1987 or latest known employment if 1987 not available; figures are given for plants open at December 1987. 429W
Table 2 (1) (2) 1980 Standard Industrial Classification Number of manufacturing plants opened in Scotland January 1979 to December 19871 1987 employment2 Metal Manufacture (Classes 21–22) 30 912 Other Minerals and Mineral Products (Classes 23–24) 70 1,637 Chemicals and Man-made Fibres (Classes 25–26) 40 1,439 Engineering and Allied Industries (Classes 31–37) 585 19,152 Food, Drink and Tobacco Industries (Classes 41–42) 180 6,558 Textiles, Footwear, Leather and Clothing (Classes 43–45) 191 7,137 Other Manufacturing (Classes 46–49) 289 7,166 Total Manufacturing 1,385 44,001 Source: Regional Data System.
Notes:
1. This figure includes plants closing prior to December 1987.
2. Employment relates to 1987 or latest known employment if 1987 not available; figures are given for plants open at December 1987.