§ 55. Colonel Clifton Brownasked the right hon. Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many of the forest-workers' cottages at 2854 Kielder, commenced last autumn, are now completed and occupied?
§ Colonel Sir George CourthopeNone of the cottages referred to is completed and occupied.
Colonel BrownIs it not the fact that these cottages were constructed for occupation last Christmas and that the men actually worked on Sundays; and how does my hon. and gallant Friend account for the tremendous delay in this case?
§ Sir G. CourthopeMy hon. and gallant Friend is mistaken. The outdoor building work was interrupted during the winter. Many of the cottages are nearly ready and occupants have been selected, but are not actually in occupation.
56. Colonel Brownasked the right hon. Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the increased grant for the relief of unemployment has been utilised in the Kielder Forest and the Redesdale Forest; and how far are these two places distant by road from the nearest Special Areas?
§ Sir G. CourthopePart of the Forestry Commissioners' increased grant for the scheme of afforestation and holdings in and within a 15 miles radius of the Special Areas in England and Wales has been utilised in Kielder and Redesdale Forests which are respectively 11 miles and 24 miles by road from the nearest Special Area.
§ Mr. SextonHow does it come about that some of these places for afforestation are 24 miles away from the Special Area when they have to be within 15 miles?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThey are within 15 miles as the crow flies, but there happens to be a very winding road between them.
§ Mr. SextonThe unemployed have not yet got wings.