§ 19. Mr. CARTLANDasked the Minister of Labour whether the Special Areas Commissioners have been invited to give their views on the continuation of the Special Areas Act in its present form; and whether they favour any amendments to the Act?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe views of the Commissioners are contained in their published reports.
§ Mr. CARTLANDHave the actual district commissioners been asked to give their views with regard to amendments of the Act?
§ Mr. BROWNI understand my hon. Friend's question to refer to the Commissioners, and not to the district commissioners. I understand that there is the closest working between the Commissioners for England and Wales and for Scotland and the district commissioners.
§ Mr. CARTLANDWill my right hon. Friend make this information available before this Act is discussed in the House?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the Schedule to the Special Areas Act? Is he aware 1021 that some parts of Lancashire are in a very much worse position than some of the areas that are scheduled? Is it not possible for the Act to include those areas?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not true to say that on several matters the opinions of the Commissioners have been constantly ignored by the Government?
§ Mr. BROWNThe recommendations of the Commissioners have been given instant and most careful consideration by the Government, and those the Government have thought wise have been put into operation.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that no opportunity will be given to extend the areas now in the Schedule when the Act comes up for discussion in the House?
§ Mr. BROWNThat, obviously, is the case from the proposal to extend the Act under the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWhat is the use of pretending that the Special Areas Act is for the benefit of the distressed areas when many of them are outside the scheduled areas and are in a serious position?
§ Mr. BROWNThe House must understand that there are other modes of helping these areas, and that some of the principal operations under the Act are only just beginning to show themselves. We must have time.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas not the position as regards these Special Areas altered altogether since the report of the Chief Commissioner? In view of the extraordinary nature of that report do the Government still intend to push this Act through under the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill?