asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer which he gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East on 7 May, he will now list the names of those members who have experience and knowledge of the medical needs of the rural areas on the Grampian health board.

All members of the Grampian health board by virtue of their service have varying experience and knowledge of the medical and health service needs of rural areas. Some members by virtue of their own background, place of residence, qualifications or training have more detailed experience or knowledge than others. It would not be appropriate to categorise individual members in this way; and I am satisfied that the board as a whole is entirely competent to deal with the problems about which my hon. Friend is concerned.

District						Employment Office Area					Total unemployed
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth			…	…	…	Cumbernauld		…	…	…	1,868
						Kilsyth	…	…	…	…	569
						Total		…	…	…	2,437
Strathkelvin	…	…	…	…	…	Kirkintilloch		…	…	…	1,218
						Springburn		…	…	…	6,754
						Kilsyth	…	…	…	…	569
						Parkhead	…	…	…	…	6,468
						Coatbridge		…	…	…	3,394
						Total		…	…	…	18,403
Bearsden and Milngavie		…	…	…	…	Clydebank	…	…	…	…	4,473
						Maryhill	…	…	…	…	4,113
						Total		…	…	…	8,586

The figures are disappointingly high but reflect the particular problems of the areas concerned. Employment prospects ultimately depend on the establishment of a sound economy and this is what the Government's policies are designed to achieve.