asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the percentage increase in Scottish youth unemployment since March 1974.

I have been asked to reply.About 300 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of unemployed school leavers in the special development areas in Scotland.

I have been asked to reply.About 6,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is able to identify the employment sectors in Scotland where there is currently a shortage of skilled labour.

I have been asked to reply.There are no employment sectors in Scotland where there is currently a general shortage of skilled labour. Local shortages in specific skills arise from time to time; close and regular contact between my Department and the MSC and its agencies on the one hand and industry on the other ensures that such shortages are identified at an early stage and appropriate steps taken to alleviate them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the number of school leavers still without full-time employment in each Scottish region; if he will show the total number of job vacancies available; and if he will indicate how many of these young people are currently engaged in job creation or work experience schemes.

I have been asked to reply.