§ 43. Mr. GEORGE EDWARDSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county of Norfolk there are 1,200 men unemployed; that the county council have prepared a scheme for widening and improving the present roads; whether he has received any communication from the county council on this matter; and whether it is proposed to grant the council financial assistance to enable it to put the scheme into operation and find employment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have received communications respecting unemployment in the county of Norfolk. Arrangements have already been made between the Ministry of Transport and the Norwich City Council for the construction of a road in the area of that council, and I am informed that 200 men are already engaged in this work. I have also called the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the case of Great Yarmouth, with a view to consideration being given in connection with the arterial road scheme.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWhen will the Emergency Order issued during the coal strike be withdrawn?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt will be brought to a close at the end of this week— Saturday.
§ Mr. EDWARDSHas the right hon. Gentleman received an application from the Norfolk County Council to see a deputation on this question?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend himself sent me a communication on the 8th November containing a request to me to receive a deputation, and I shall be obliged if he will inform the Council that I will see them if they wish.
§ Mr. WALTER SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Norwich and Yarmouth are distinct boroughs outside the County Council which is involved in this question?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, I am aware of that. But my hon. Friend will know that in the county there are 700 parishes outside these two boroughs in which also there is a measure of unemployment. I do not wish to minimise it, but I do not think it is so acute as it is in the immediate vicinity of these two towns, and that is why I put them first.
§ Mr. EDWARDSIs it not the fact that the 1,200 unemployed referred to in the question are in the villages and not in the boroughs?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say, but if the hon. Member asserts it is so of course I accept his statement.