§ 74. Mr. CARYasked the Minister of Labour what districts in Lancashire are to be scheduled as Special Areas in any new legislation; whether before districts are so scheduled the fullest inquiries will be instituted to ascertain whether this step is in accordance with unanimous local opinion; and whether, in reaching a decision to schedule these districts as distressed, he will take into account the disadvantages which may result there-from owing to the tendency of new industries to avoid areas so described?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI must ask my hon. Friend to await the proposals which will be embodied in the Bill to amend the Special Areas Act.
§ Miss WILKINSONCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when that Bill will be introduced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNo, I could not give the date.
§ Miss WILKINSONMay we take it, then, that this is one more of the innumerable things that are still being considered by the present Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADYes, it is being considered.
§ Mr. BURKEWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman take particular notice of the fact that the feeling in Lancashire is that it should not be regarded as a distressed area, but that something should be done before it gets into that plight.