HC Deb 09 March 1936 vol 309 cc1798-9
65. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Labour what is the qualification required to enter the category, special or distressed area?

The. PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)

The Special Areas are defined in the First Schedule to the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Act, 1934. The Schedule cannot be altered without legislation. With regard to the distressed areas, I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the list of depressed areas to which a preference is given, other things being equal, in the allocation of Government contracts. This Schedule includes, in addition to all places in the Special Areas, all areas in which the rate of unemployment among men of 18 years and over (averaged over 12 months) is at least 25 per cent. Cotton areas in which the rate of unemployment among women of 18 years of age and over (averaged over 12 months) is at least 15 per cent. are also included.