HC Deb 22 March 1938 vol 333 c982
55. Mr. James Brown

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increase in unemployment in the town of Maybole, Ayrshire, he will take steps to have the town and district scheduled as a distressed area?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The number on the register of the Maybole Employment Exchange in February was lower than at the corresponding date of any previous year since 1930. May-bole is at present included in the schedule of areas to which a preference is given, other things being equal, in the allocation of Government contracts, but not in the schedule of areas covered by the industrial transference scheme. If the hon. Member has the latter in mind, I will examine the position and will communicate with him in due course.