§ 7. Mr. Parkinsonasked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to relieve unemployment in South-west Lancashire and in other Lancashire districts where unemployment is heavy?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to Sections 5 and 6 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, and to the answers given to the hon. Members for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) and Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 10th and 17th February respectively. I would also remind the hon. Member that Lancashire is sharing to a very considerable extent in the employment afforded by the Defence programme, and that three Government factories, together with four agency factories, have been or are being erected in the county. This is in addition to the large number of contracts which have been placed direct with Lancashire firms.