asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he plans to take to create opportunities in Scotland for the employment of skilled Scottish manpower.

I am glad to say that the demand for skilled manpower of many kinds in Scotland is at a high level at present; but more science-based and other industry requiring a high content of skill is needed. In our efforts to encourage firms to set up in the development districts in Scotland, we shall continue to have this need in mind.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that we have lost 73,000 men in the last five years from Scotland, many of whom were highly skilled? Will he take some crash action, because the difficulties now arising from the past failures of the previous Administration will make it increasingly difficult in the next few years?

I am aware of that, but I think that the solution is first to bring more industries to Scotland, and secondly to extend training facilities. Both of those actions are being taken.