§ 41. Miss Wilkinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any explanation to make of the delay in regard to the site of the Jarrow steel works; and what party to the agreements is responsible for the hold-up?
§ Captain WallaceAlthough all the details connected with the purchase of the site have not yet been settled, representatives of the Commissioner and of the promoters of the steel works scheme have, in the meantime, entered on the site by arrangement with the owners and I do not think that there has been any avoidable delay.
§ Miss WilkinsonDoes not the Minister realise that it is now very nearly a year since the Government intimated that this scheme was to be started, that we are very little further forward than we were then, that the continual statements of the Minister that men are being employed is proved to be inaccurate, and that there are only 65 men employed there now, and is there not some hold-up somewhere? May we have an explanation, in view of the importance of this matter?
§ Captain WallaceI agree that it is important, but I do not think there has been any avoidable delay. It is very difficult to carry through an arrangement of this kind. A great many people are 918 concerned in it; for instance, the company that is to be formed, the Commissioner and the present owners.
§ Miss WilkinsonCan the Minister say——
§ Mr. Speaker rose——
§ Miss WilkinsonIn view of the great importance of this matter to the people of Jarrow and the evasive answers of the Minister concerned, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.