74. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Commissioner in his report states that he cannot make grants towards any scheme to which a Government Department has the power to contribute and that in some cases this is a serious disadvantage, he will consider giving powers to the Commissioner for special areas to enable him to make grants towards schemes submitted to him by local authorities even if a Government Department has the power to contribute, so that he can deal more effectively with a problem which is admitted to be special?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the statutory duty of the Commissioners to make recommendations to the Government Departments concerned in cases such as he has in mind. Full and effective use is made by the Commissioners of this power of recommendation and further statutory authority does not appear to be necessary.
Mr. STEWARTIs it true to say that schemes which have been submitted by local authorities for many years have been held up for lack of money, and that they could have been got under way if the Commissioner had had power to make grants?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI cannot say that.