HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 c151W
8. Miss Begg

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on employment levels in Scotland. [160308]

Mr. Darling

Employment in Scotland is at historic high levels. The number employed has risen by 119,000 since spring 1997 and the employment rate is close to the UK average, comparing favourably with the rates of our main competitors.