§ 37. Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of self-employed persons in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThere were an estimated 239,000 self-employed in Scotland in September 1989, the highest ever recorded total. In the past two years the number of self-employed in Scotland has increased by over a fifth, a faster rate of increase than in the whole of Great Britain.
§ 39. Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland were self-employed in 1979 and at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LangThe Department of Employment estimates that there were 159,000 self-employed in Scotland in September 1979. By September 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, the number had increased by over 50 per cent. to 239,000.