HC Deb 14 January 1991 vol 183 cc423-4W
Mr. Maxton

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the change in(a) the number of employees in employment and (b) the number of employees in employment in manufacturing in Scotland between June 1979 and June 1990; and what the changes are in percentage terms.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The number of employees in employment in Scotland fell by 102,000 between June 1979 and June 1990, a decrease of 5 per cent. The number of manufacturing employees in employment in Scotland fell by 180,000 between June 1979 and June 1990, a decrease of 30 per cent. Although the number of employees in employment in Scotland fell between 1979 and 1990, other components of the labour force have grown, notably self-employed which have increased by 87,000. At over 2.3 million, the civilian work force in Scotland is at its highest ever level.

Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of unemployed in Scotland in December 1979 and 1989.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The seasonally adjusted series of unemployment provides the only figures that are comparable over the time period requested. In December 1989, the seasonally adjusted level of unemployed claimants in Scotland was 211,200 compared with 141,500 in December 1979.