HC Deb 08 December 1925 vol 189 cc239-41
45. Sir WILFRID SUGDEN

asked the Prime Minister if the committee set up to examine the privations existing in such necessitous areas as West Hartlepool has yet reported; if such Report can be made available to the Members of the House; and what are the Government's proposals to relieve the distress obtaining in the Hartlepools?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The Committee recently appointed to examine and report on any scheme which may be submitted to them for Exchequer assistance to local authorities in necessitous urban areas have not yet issued a report. As regards the list part of the question, if my hon. Friend is referring to individual cases of distress, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that adequate provision for relief is available through existing channels.

Sir W. SUGDEN

When will the Committee be able to report?

Sir K. WOOD

I cannot say.

Sir W. SUGDEN

Will the hon. Member refer this inquiry to the Prime Minister and ask the Prime Minister to give it immediate attention, in view of the great dissatisfaction and distress in the necessitous areas, owing to the poverty which exists there?

Sir K. WOOD

I do not think there is any justification for that statement. The Committee has been appointed, and it is getting on with its work.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Can the hon. Member inform me whether this Committee is only considering necessitous areas in England, or does its functions extend to Scotland? Is any action being taken in regard to necessitous areas in Scotland?

Sir K. WOOD

The hon. Member had better put his quest on to the Scottish Office.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Can the hon. Member not inform me what is the area covered by this Committee? Does it apply only to England or to the whole of Great Britain?

Sir K. WOOD

I must ask the hon. Member to put down a question.

Captain MACMILAN

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the investigation of this Committee regarding necessitous areas is related to the investigation of the Committee of Inquiry into unemployment insurance; and, if not, will steps be taken to co-relate the two?

Sir K. WOOD

It is a special inquiry. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend the terms of reference.