§ 39. Sir Hector MonroTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed unemployment trends with the Scottish Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindI have had no recent discussions with the SDA about unemployment trends. However, my hon. Friend will welcome the continued fall in levels of unemployment in Scotland. In the year to May 1990, unemployment rates in both Scotland and the Dumfries travel-to-work area (TTWA) fell by around 16 per cent., faster than in the United Kingdom as a whole. The rate of unemployment is now down to 5 per cent. in the Dumfries TTWA. This is below both the Scottish and United Kingdom averages (unadjusted).