HC Deb 25 March 1937 vol 321 c3051
9. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Minister of Labour whether the proposed grants for field drainage in the Special Areas will also apply to land in the neighbourhood of Special Areas where the work of drainage will afford employment or occupation for substantial numbers of persons from the areas?

Mr. E. Brown

The powers contained in Sub-section (2) of Clause 4 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Bill are confined to agricultural land in any Special Area.

Mr. Roberts

Will the Clause in the original Act which provides that grants may be given in cases in which the work is done outside the area for the benefit of the area apply also to land drainage?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member looks up Section 1 (6) of the Act he will see that it excludes only cases in which business is carried on for purposes of gain.

Mr. Roberts

As regards the drainage of land, would the ownership of the land be considered to be a business carried on for the purpose of gain?

Mr. Brown

I should not like to give an impromptu reply to that question.