Scotland's economic progress, 1951-60. A study in regional accounting

McCrone, Robert G.L (1964) Scotland's economic progress, 1951-60. A study in regional accounting. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The central purpose of this dissertation is to assess in quantifiable terms the progress of the Scottish economy from 1951 to 1960, the most recent year for which data could be obtained. For this purpose it was necessary to prepare estimates of gross domestic product, income from employment, gross profits and other trading income, and output and investment in manufacturing industry. Wherever possible comparisons are drawn with the United Kingdom as a whole and with other regions. For certain years it was possible to compare personal income and household expenditure in all of the Standard Regions. The results showed that Scotland lagged behind the United Kingdom in economic performance especially during the second half of the decade. Gross domestic product per head of population fell from 92 per cent in 1951 to 88 per cent of the United Kingdom level in 1960. Economic growth from 1954 to 1960 came to only 9 per cent for Scotland compared with 18 per cent for the United Kingdom. However, in spite of this trend, Scotland's gross domestic product per head was still slightly above the Welsh level and substantially be made. Moreover, the figures showed that output per head of occupied population was only some 6 per cent below the United Kingdom level. Income from employment did not expand as rapidly as in the United Kingdom as a whole; but this was mainly a reflection of the slower growth in employment rather than of a growing disparity in income per head. The composition of gross domestic product by industries showed that while the Scottish economy may differ structurally from the United Kingdom in many important respects, the differences were not so obviously apparent as for Wales or Norther Ireland. Figures for output per head by industries showed that, while Scotland compared quite well with the United Kingdom in agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing and gas, electricity and water, it was well behind in mining and quarrying, construction and distribution. The estimates of personal income showed that Scotland's income per head was above the levels prevailing in the South-West, the Northern region, Wales or Northern Ireland. London and the South-East had an exceptionally high income per head, but the Scottish figure was not greatly different from many of the other English regions. Moreover investment income formed a higher proportion of the Scottish total than for the majority of the other regions. The breakdown of personal income by counties showed highest levels were to be found in Midlothian and the counties of the Clydeside conurbation. The analysis of investment in manufacturing industry showed that as a proportion of gross domestic product Scottish and Northern Irish investment had been below the United Kingdom level in almost every year, while Welsh investment had been much higher. Yet in relation to the amount of investment, the return in terms of growth had been as good in Scotland as in the United Kingdom. In terms of increased productivity the return had actually been better in Scotland. There seemed every reason, therefore, to try to step up the amount of investment taking place in Scotland; and it is clear that this is essential if the progress of the Scottish economy is to be improved in the coming decade.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: D J Robertson
• Keywords: Economic history
• Date of Award: 1964
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1964-73968
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73968