§ 24. Mr. Lunnasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Newfoundland?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have received the annual report of the Commission of Government for 1937 and will present it to Parliament as a Command Paper shortly. Generally speaking, substantial progress has been made in Newfoundland during the last year, and figures both of revenue and of employment conditions have shown a marked improvement. In the last few week, however, economic prospects for the immediate future have taken a less favourable turn, owing partly to trade difficulties in certain foreign countries which are normally among the largest importers of Newfoundland fish, and partly to the recent decline in industrial activity in the United States, as a result of which the paper mills in Newfoundland are now working on part time. So far, however, the revenue of the island has not been adversely affected, and employment as a whole still shows an improvement on recent years. A further stimulus will, it is hoped, be afforded by the Commission's reconstruction programme.
§ Mr. LunnCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the foundation of permanent economic recovery has been laid in any industry in Newfoundland up till now by the Commission?