§ Miss WILKINSON(By Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister how many resolutions he has received regarding Jarrow, from 1st July this year to date, (a) from public bodies and corporations, and (b) from other sources, and whether he has any statement to make regarding them?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)During the last four months a considerable number of resolutions, for the most part from public bodies and corporations, have been received by the Government, regarding Jarrow. A number of these resolutions deal with the question of the proposed steel works at Jarrow. On this point, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in the course of the Debate on 15th July last. As regards the general position, employment among insured persons at Jarrow, though it is still far from satisfactory, has considerably improved during the last year as a result of the marked increase in industrial activity on the North-East coast generally. There is every reason to hope that the revival of industry now in progress in the Tyneside area will result in further opportunities for employment for those still unemployed at Jarrow.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, and if he is not, will he make inquiries into the facts, that the so-called decrease in unemployment figures in Jarrow is not due to any increase in employment in Jarrow, but to the amalgamation of the figures of Jarrow with those of the neighbouring town; and does he consider that the amalgamation of the figures of misery is a means 6 of dealing with the problem of unemployment where nothing else has been done at all? With regard to the last part of his answer, may I ask him whether he considers it satisfactory that increased licences for the import of steel into this country should be given at this time, while a steel works is being refused to the people who could make it in that area?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn reply to the hon. Member, against whose questions I have no complaint at all, I think that her questions show the difficulty of dealing by means of question and answer with points such as she is raising. There is a great deal to be said on the first part of the question, as indeed there is on the second. I am afraid, in reply to the questions, that I cannot add to what I have already said.
§ Miss WILKINSONWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer and agreeing that there is a great deal that cannot be done by question and answer in this House, may I ask whether he will therefore reconsider the declaration of his Cabinet to refuse to meet any representatives of the town who are at present marching from Jarrow?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe attitude of the Government, and the attitude taken by successive Governments, is not to interview marchers. The Government are prepared to meet Members of Parliament who speak for them, and I believe that there has been a deputation of representatives to London for the specific purpose of seeing Ministers. If anything further can be desired, perhaps the hon. Lady will specify exactly what she thinks is required. The position in regard to marchers remains unchanged, and will remain unchanged.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESIs there any reason why people who march to London cannot be listened to, while people who come by train are listened to?