asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to obtain a share of re-armament work for the Highland area and particularly for Shetland, where unemployment remains high.

My right hon. Friend is in close touch with his colleagues in the Defence and Production Departments regarding the placing of re-armament work in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.

Would the Minister bear in mind two points; first, that possibly some sub-contracting might be done in the area and secondly, that certain raw materials, such as iron ore, might be economically worked in the present situation?

I can assure the hon. Member that all these points are very much in the mind of my right hon. Friend.

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of the maximum distribution of industry, particularly at this time, as it will show people that the Highlands are playing their full part in the country's defence programme?

It is not only at this time that this Government have known of the importance of those matters.

Have the Government not been long enough in office to make a contribution of their own?