HC Deb 11 July 1938 vol 338 cc927-8
78. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the sale of the Bute Estates, Cardiff, to a syndicate and that the value of the estate on reversion is estimated at £20,000,000; and whether, in view of the fact that this wealth has been created by the industrial community of South Wales, which has suffered so long from industrial depression, he will take measures to make this wealth available for the rehabilitation of the area whose industry made it?

Captain Wallace

My right hon. Friend has no official knowledge of the matters to which the hon. Member refers. The suggestion in the second half of the question is one which he cannot accept.

Mr. Griffiths

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer in preparing his new Budget give full consideration to the revelation made by this deal that here is a great amount of publicly-created wealth that ought to be secured for the public?

Mr. Thorne

Does not the Minister's Department get cuttings from newspapers giving all the information they want?

Captain Wallace

We cannot base our information on newspaper cuttings.