asked the Secretary of State for Employment what categories of skilled labour are in short supply in Scotland and what steps are being taken to meet demand.

There are many more skilled workers unemployed than unfilled vacancies notified to employment exchanges. Although our vacancy figures do not purport to show total demand it is clear that at present the supply of skilled men exceeds demand. Training facilities in Scotland are being expanded so that when the demand for skilled workers does increase the expansion of the Scottish economy will not be hindered.