asked the Minister of Labour how many Scottish engineering craftsmen have been assisted under the Resettlement Transfer Scheme over the past three years to find employment in England.

In the three years ended 31st May last, the totals were 439, 220 and 147, respectively.

Would it not be much better to provide jobs in Scotland rather than to incur the expense associated with resettlement and bringing workers south of the Border?

There can be no doubt that it is the policy of the Government to increase growth in Scotland rather than to encourage emigration of this sort. However, I am sure that it will be agreed by many people that for many years Scotsmen have left Scotland to go to all parts of the world, with valuable results to those parts of the world as well as to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers from Scotland over the past three years have been assisted under the Resettlement Transfer Scheme to find employment in England.

In the three years ended 31st May last, the totals were 1,697, 1,244 and 505 respectively.

Does the fact that there has been a decrease mean that the situation in Scotland is so much better?

No, and the hon. Member knows that.