§ 23. Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on employment trends in Scotland since September. [17509]
§ Mrs. LiddellLatest figures show that there are 2.381 million people in work in Scotland, a fall of 0.5 per cent. over the previous three months but a rise of 3,000 over the same period a year ago. The number of people out of work and claiming benefit rose by 800 in October, but remains at its lowest level for a quarter of a century.