HC Deb 12 December 1935 vol 307 cc1074-5
3 and 6. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that about 50 per cent. of the working population are unemployed in the urban districts of Aspull, Blackrod, Hindley, and Westhoughton; and can he make arrangements for these areas to be brought under the purview of the special Commissioners;

(2) whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to whether industrial and economic conditions in parts of the county of Lancashire have deteriorated so much during the last few years as to warrant their falling into the same special category as the county of Durham, parts of South Wales, and portions of Scotland, so that all such depressed areas may receive similar treatment and financial aid from the Government and local authorities?

Mr. E. BROWN

As regards Hindley and Westhoughton, the only areas out of the four specified by the hon. Member for which separate figures are available, the unemployment percentages in November were 34.1 at Hindley and 29.5 at Westhoughton. More generally, however, I may say that there are districts outside the special areas in which the unemployment percentage is as high as in certain parts of the special areas; but there is this important distinction that those districts represent pockets of unemployment among surroundings of diversified industries rather than the widespread and prolonged depression associated with dependence on a very small number of industries which is the characteristic of the special areas. While the Government naturally will not close the door to any development which further experience may suggest, they remain of opinion that the special areas were properly selected for exceptional treatment of an experimental nature.

Mr. DAVIES

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really think that the whole of these areas ought to come under review once again, because there are patches of Lancashire as big as Durham and Glamorganshire which have been made derelict by the depressions as anything in the special areas?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Gentleman will gather from my answer that that is appreciated. The door is not closed to any developments that further experience may suggest.

Mr. TINKER

Could any arrangements be made, where people have to travel outside the district to work, to meet travelling expenses?

Mr. BROWN

That is another point. The hon. Member had better put it on the Paper.

Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHS

Cannot these depressed areas if they make application, somehow be got inside and be called depressed special areas?

Mr. BROWN

That would require legislation.