§ 83. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in approving relief works for the benefit of the unemployed, he will consider the special suitability of restarting local undertakings which for some reason or other are not able to continue operations at the present moment, but whose existence is vital to the local communities; and whether he can state instances in which this policy, if approved, has been followed?
Mr. YOUNGAs regards the first part of the question, the Trade Facilities Committee, which the Treasury have appointed with a view to advising them as to carrying out the provisions of the Trade Facilities Act, are authorised to recommend a guarantee of capital or interest, or both, of loans not exceeding an aggregate total of £25,000,000 to be raised in connection with approved capital schemes. I understand that this Committee have at present under consideration the particular scheme which, I believe, the hon. Member has in mind. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware that the Committee has approved so far any scheme of this kind.