HC Deb 20 June 1935 vol 303 cc522-3
3. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to inform the House of the nature and extent of the financial assistance which is to be given by the commissioner for the special areas for the purpose of housing in those areas?

Mr. E. BROWN

I am not yet in a position to give the House details on this subject, which is, however, under active consideration.

Mr. DICKIE

In view of the fact that the Minister of Health, when the Housing Bill was passing through Committee, declared that as far back as the 14th March this matter was under consideration, may we not have an early decision, as the local authorities are unable to bear their share of the subsidy without adding to their already intolerable burdens?

6. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Labour why it is that the efforts of the commissioner for the special areas have not resulted in finding employment for any appreciable number of workers, especially in the North-East area?

Mr. BROWN

As my predecessor frequently stated both during the passage of the Special Areas Bill and in subsequent answers to questions, it is not the commissioner's primary object to provide immediate and direct employment, but to promote the economic development and social improvement of the areas so that employment for the population may ultimately result. My hon. Friend will receive full information as to the progress the commissioner has been able to make in the task assigned to him when his report is published in a few weeks' time.

Mr. DICKIE

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction that exists among supporters of the Government at the meagre results which have accrued from the operation of the Bill? Can nothing be done to expedite the matter and get rid of the altogether unjustifiable delay?

Mr. BROWN

We shall have the commissioner's report in a very short time now.

Mr. PALING

Are any figures available as to the number of people who have been found work?

Mr. BROWN

I should not be able to give them until the report is in my hands and available for publication.

Mr. DICKIE

Could not the right hon. Gentleman say off-hand whether it is a fact that less than half of the £2,000,000, which many of us regard as merely a token payment, has been spent?

10 and 11. Mr. GEORGE HALL

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of persons for whom work has been found on schemes approved by the commissioner for the special areas for England and Wales, giving the figures for Wales separately;

(2) the number of schemes sanctioned by the commissioner for the special areas upon which work has commenced, and the districts in which the work is situated?

Mr. BROWN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on 17th June.