§ 11. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the system of appointed commissioners has completely failed to deal with the heavy unemployment in the special areas; and whether the Government propose to make any proposals in the near future to deal with this problem?
Mr. STANLEYNo, Sir. I cannot accept the assumption on which the hon. Member's question is based. As I have frequently stated, the success of the Commissioners' appointments is not to be measured by the amount of employment immediately provided. The end in view is to promote the economic development and social improvement of the special areas, so that additional employment for the inhabitants may follow. I have already informed the House that the Commissioner for England and Wales will in due course submit a report on his work up to the end of June next.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Commissioners were appointed there has been no change in the amount of unemployment in these areas; and does not that point to the fact that the Commissioners are really doing nothing substantial?
Mr. STANLEYNo, Sir; it does not point to that fact at all. I have pointed out on many occasions that a large amount of the Commissioners' work must be experimental, and that its results can only be expected to show themselves after a period of time.
Miss WARDIs not the policy of the National Government likely to be much more effective in dealing with unemployment than the policy of the Labour Government?