HC Deb 05 November 1936 vol 317 cc212-3
2. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make on the resignation of the Commissioner for Special Areas; whether he has submitted a final report of his work; and, if so, when such report will be available to Members?

Mr. E. BROWN

As was announced in the Press on 9th October, Mr. P. Malcolm Stewart, for personal reasons and with great reluctance, asked to be relieved of his duties as Commissioner for the Special Areas in England and Wales as from 14th November next. I accepted his resignation with regret and am fortunate enough to have obtained the services of Sir George M. Gillett, who has consented to accept appointment as Commissioner from that date. I take this opportunity of expressing the deep obligation which the Government feel to Mr. Stewart for the way in which he has for two years carried out a laborious and exacting task. Mr. Stewart has submitted a, report covering the period up to the end of September. This report is now with the printers and will be ready for publication, I hope, before the end of next week.

Mr. LAWSON

Had the personal reasons for resignation anything to do with the complete failure of the Commissioner to do anything useful in the Special Areas Were there any complaints against the Department or any antagonism?

Mr. BROWN

I do not accept the implication or the assertion. So far from there having been complete failure, I am constantly being pressed by Members in other parts of the House to extend the Act to other areas.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the report be uncensored?

Mr. BROWN

Reports are always uncensored. They are printed as received.

Mr. LAWSON

Will there be an opportunity of debating the report?

Mr. BROWN

It will come up in the usual way.

Mr. JAMES GRIFFITHS

Have the Government expressed their deep gratitude to the Commissioner by accepting his recommendations?

Mr. BROWN

The Government have accepted a number of recommendations and the House will be surprised when they analyse them how many are now out of the field of political controversy, because they have disappeared from their perorations.

Mr. BATEY rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

There are over 100 questions on the Order Paper.