12. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Commissioner for Special Areas has invited the Land Settlement Association to create 250 cottage homesteads on the outskirts of the busiest towns in the Midland and South of England for the special benefit of unemployed men over 45 years of age wih young families; and whether, as the association is appealing to Durham families to avail themselves of this scheme, he is satisfied that similar cottage homesteads could not profitably be established in Durham and thus avoid the transference of these families?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe cottage homesteads scheme involves the transfer of families to prosperous areas, where the younger members have good prospects of obtaining industrial employment while the head of the family can participate in a group holding. The proposal is at present in 3280 the experimental stage, but it will not diminish the facilities already offered by the Commissioner for group holdings within the Special Areas.
Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that such holdings could serve a population of about 2,000,000 near the banks of the Tyne, and that also there is a distinct shortage of juvenile labour in the mines of Durham and Northumberland and in the factories on Tyneside?
§ Mr. BrownI am aware of the facts. It is always our desire to settle workers, if possible, in or near their home towns.
Mr. AdamsMay I take it that the Minister will again examine this question particularly as it affects Durham?
§ Mr. BrownI have already indicated that the Commissioner for the Special Areas offers facilities in this matter.