HC Deb 21 January 1937 vol 319 cc317-8
1. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations of the Carmarthenshire County Council and other local authorities within the county requesting that certain depressed areas within the county be scheduled as Special Areas and brought within the ambit of the proposed legislation; and what action is proposed?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I have received the representations referred to. They are under consideration, and I must ask the hon. Member

Organisation. Nature of work. Location of work. Estimated total cost of work.
£
Sunderland Royal Infirmary Construction of new outpatients department, ward block, nurses' home and staff quarters. Sunderland 83,500
Blaina and District Hospital Additions to surgeon's room and mortuary, provision of ultraviolet ray and other equipment, and new motor ambulance. Blaina … 874
Rhymney Cottage Hospital Provision of new X-ray room, nurses' bedroom, new ambulance and other equipment. Rhymney 2,067
7 and 8. Captain Arthur Evans

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in view of the fact that 40 per cent. of the insurable population of Penarth, Glamorgan, is unemployed, he will consider the inclusion of this district in the list of Special Areas when framing the new Bill to be introduced shortly;

(2) whether, in view of the large number of unemployed on the South Wales seaboard, he will consider the inclusion

to await the Bill which it is proposed to introduce.

Mr. Griffiths

Do I understand that these representations are being taken into consideration by the Minister of Labour?

Mr. Brown

Yes, with many others.

4. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Commissioner for the Special Areas has made any grants to voluntary hospitals towards the alteration or extension of their buildings; and will he give particulars?

Mr. Brown

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 247 and 248 and to Appendix XI of the Third Report of the Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales) Cmd. 5303, which covers the period up to the 3oth September, 1936. I will, if I may, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT brief particulars of schemes for assisting voluntary hospitals which have been approved since that date.

Mr. Day

Can the Minister say whether there are many applications for grants by voluntary hospitals in these areas?

Mr. Brown

That is another question.

The schemes are as follow:

of the whole of this district in the list of Special Areas when framing the new Bill to be introduced shortly?

Mr. Brown

In framing the new Bill, the representations made by my hon, and gallant Friend will be borne in mind.