§ 46. Mr. BATEYasked the Prime Minister whether he has given consideration to the distress existing in the county of Durham; and what steps the Government propose to provide employment in that district?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The conditions created by the heavy unemployment in the depressed areas of county Durham and elsewhere are the constant concern of the Government. The policy which we have followed has aimed at restoring confidence and creating employment in the country as a whole, and I have every hope that the trade improvement which the Government has done so much to secure will continue and extend to many 463 of the places now counted as depressed. The initiative for providing employment in particular areas cannot, however, rest with the Government, though any practical measures to this end which are proposed to it will receive most sympathetic consideration and, wherever possible, active support.
§ Mr. BATEYWill the Prime Minister tell us whether the Government are taking steps to find employment in the county of Durham? Did he read the three articles in the "Times" some weeks ago? If so, did they make any impression upon him? Will he say whether the Government will or will not take steps?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member will remember Durham as it was when we came into office and examine its prospects then and now, he will find that the Government have contributed substantially towards helping Durham.
§ Mr. BATEYWill the Prime Minister tell me what the Government have done to contribute substantially to the finding of work in Durham? Is he aware that Durham is worse to-day than when the Government came into office?
§ Mr. DICKIECan the Prime Minister say whether these derelict communities are to be regarded as a national responsibility or a local responsibility?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that whatever improvement there may be in employment in the country generally it has not touched such areas as Durham, and that things are getting worse, comparing them over a number of years? Is he aware that all the proposals that are put to the Government are simply put into cold storage and no notice taken of them? Will he not give some attention to these depressed areas?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe remark of the hon. Member about cold storage is, if he will believe me, quite untrue. The problem of Durham is a very grave problem indeed. It concerns historical changes in the industry of the country, the use of coal and so on, and nobody knows better than the hon. Member that, had the Government not made arrangements with certain foreign countries for 464 the use of coal, Durham would be in a worse condition than it now is.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLroses—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have a Debate on this matter.
§ Mr. DICKIEMay I have an answer to my question? Can the Prime Minister say where the responsibility lies for the treatment of the people in these derelict communities? The Government have done well in the county of Durham.
§ 1. Sir LUKE THOMPSON (for Mr. STOREY)asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the resignation en bloc of the Tyneside Development Board and the delay which must occur before the Unemployment Assistance Board functions, he will consider the immediate appointment of an officer charged with preparing plans for the development of the North-East coast, and particularly for dealing with the derelict areas therein?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe subject of the so-called derelict areas is constantly receiving the close attention of my Department, and at the present time I am considering whether any steps can usefully be taken to obtain further information than is now in my possession as to the position in these areas. I should add that any such action is only likely to be valuable if it can count on the co-operation and assistance of local effort.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLIs it not the case that a solid core of unemployment is concentrated in these areas, and could not the Minister consider the possibility of adopting drastic and comprehensive schemes of resettlement?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI do not accept the premises upon which the hon. Member bases his question.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas the right hon. Gentleman any power to prepare plans for industrial development?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat is not a question which should be addressed to me, but to the President of the Board of Trade, or some other Department. The powers of the Minister of Labour are very limited in this matter.