HC Deb 17 February 1938 vol 331 cc2045-6
26. Mr. Hopkin

asked the Minister of Labour what the prospects are for the formation of a site company in Carmarthenshire; and, in case of failure to form such a site company, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the serious unemployment in the Gwendraeth Valley?

Mr. E. Brown

The formation of site companies under Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, is a matter primarily for local initiative, and I have no information as to the prospects of such action in Carmarthenshire. I believe that the question of forming a site company to operate anywhere in Wales or Monmouthshire to which Section 5 of the Act might be applied is under consideration by the National Industrial Development Council for Wales and Monmouthshire.

Mr. Hopkin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that four men out of five are unemployed and has he no kind of plan for dealing with them?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member did not ask me a general question; he asked me a particular one. I suggest that he gets into touch with the Development Council and see whether his area is being considered.

Mr. Mainwaring

Is not the Minister of the opinion, having regard to the slow rate of progress in finding work, that the whole country should be sited as one site?

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