§ 31. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are investigating any long-term plans to avoid unemployment and disorganisation consequent upon the future discontinuance of activity in the armaments industry; and, if not, whether he will consider the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine this matter in the light of previous experience and future probabilities and to recommend preparations to meet the situation?
§ Mr. ChamberlainI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) yesterday. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think that the appointment of a Royal Commission would serve any valuable purpose.
§ Mr. Garro JonesHaving read the answer which was given yesterday, may I ask the Chancellor whether it would not be well to charge some Minister or other person specifically with the task of investigating this problem so that we should know to whom to impute responsibility if it is found later that nothing has been done?
§ Mr. ChamberlainThe Government as a whole will have to hear the responsibility.