§ 40. Mr. REMERasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will make a statement for the guidance of those local authorities covering areas scheduled as special areas as to what steps they can take to bring the needs and advantages of their areas to his notice for rearmament purposes?
The MINISTER for the CO-ORDINATION of DEFENCE (Sir Thomas In-skip)I do not think such a statement by me is necessary. I am in touch with the Commissioners for the Special Areas, and any local authority can of course communicate with me, if it desires to do so, in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend. He will, however, appreciate that the method of procedure under the defence schemes is by way of contracts with individual firms, and these will be subject to undertakings given by the Government as to preference to certain areas, other things being equal.
§ Mr. REMERIs the Minister aware that there are certain areas scheduled as special areas which do not come under the Commissioners?
§ Mr. G. GRIFFITHSWill the Minister, when he is thinking out this matter, consider the semi-distressed areas where there are thousands of men sharing their work, because if there was more work in those areas the men would have the possibility of getting more time in, instead of the starvation they are suffering at present?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI am sure that matter is considered in connection with the steps that are taken to carry out the pledges given as to distribution of contracts.