§ 4. Mr. Ritsonasked the Minister of Labour the number of undertakings established in the Parliamentary Division of Durham and for which financial assistance has been provided by the Commissioner of Special Areas; where such undertakings are established; the amount of money provided; and the number of men, women, young men, and young women provided with employment?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo application has so far been made to the Commissioner for financial assistance by any persons considering setting up new industrial undertakings in this area. Any such proposal would, however, receive sympathetic consideration.
§ Mr. RitsonMay I suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that I wish to be fair to his Department, and to inform him that we did get a cemetery from the Commissioner, but will he consider giving us further facilities for a living organisation?
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the North-Eastern Development Board, upon which the Durham Division is represented, are conscious of the need for spreading out the areas?
§ Mr. BrownI agree, but I have answered the specific question, that so far no applications have been received.
8. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields over 5o years of age who are unemployed, and the duration of such unemployment?
§ Mr. BrownThe latest figures of this kind relate to 28th February, 1938. I am having these extracted and will send them to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. BrownWe are making a number of varied efforts, and I am happy to say that recent figures show that they are having effect.