§ 46. Mr. Lawsonasked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for the Special Areas; and what powers he has for co-ordinating any expenditure of Departments generally so that the Government may play its part in the restoration of these areas?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Minister of Labour in England and Wales and the Secretary of State in Scotland are generally responsible for the exercise by the Commissioners of their powers and duties under the Special Areas Act. The coordination of Government policy and expenditure generally is the responsibility of the Government as a whole.
§ 52. Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a resolution passed at a meeting of the county council held at the Glamorgan County Hall, Cardiff, on 19th December, 1936, indicating concurrence with the Commissioner for the Special Areas in his third report on the attraction of new industries to the Special Areas, the desirability of initiating action for the erection of a bridge over the Severn, and the proposal to equate the burden of public assistance throughout the country; and what steps the Government propose to implement these recommendations?
Mr. ChamberlainI have seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the recommendations of the Commissioner generally, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given on 19th January by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins).
§ Sir R. ClarryIs it the intention of the Government to give encouragement to the establishment of a calcium carbide factory in South Wales in accordance with the suggestion in the report?
59. Mr. David Adamsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amounts of the loans now granted by the Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited, in the respective Special Areas concerned?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI am informed that up to the present date the association has agreed in principle to make loans totalling £222,450. For the reasons given by my right hon. Friend in his reply to the hon. Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Anderson) on 3rd December I am not in a position to sub-divide the figures according to the areas concerned.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleThe hon. Member will recollect that only last month I gave the figure of £103,000, and he will see that since that date there has been a very considerable increase in loans approved in principle.
§ Mr. MabaneWill my right hon. and gallant Friend say what he means by the phrase "in principle" in his reply?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleYes, Sir. There are inevitably legal and other delays before cash can be passed over.