§ 47. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Prime Minister when the report of the Royal Commission on the geographical distribution of industry will be issued?
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid that the Commission are not yet in a position to say when their report will be ready.
§ Mr. LawsonCan the Prime Minister suggest to the chairman the advisability of publishing an interim report of the Commission, in view of the relations of the subject with which they are dealing to many questions of vital importance to the nation?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it would probably be better to wait until the chairman is in a position to issue a report on the whole subject.
§ Mr. LawsonHas the Prime Minister any knowledge how long this Commission will be before it reports? It has been sitting a long time and the matter is of very great importance.
§ The Prime MinisterI appreciate that, but I have said at various times that I do not think the report of a Commission 24 on so complicated a subject can be expected very early. I am, however, hopeful that it will not be very long delayed now.
§ Mr. MacquistenWill the Prime Minister call the attention of the Commission to the shackles that have been imposed upon road transport, which would soon redistribute itself it we had good, decent roads?
§ 49. Mr. Lees-Jonesasked the Prime Minister whether the Royal Commission on the geographical distribution of the industrial population has considered, in the national interest, the question of the evacuation of the overcrowded industrial undertakings in Greater London; and, if not, in view of recent events, will steps be taken to add this to the Royal Commission's terms of reference?
§ The Prime MinisterThe strategical aspects of the concentration of industry and the industrial population in Greater London are within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, but I do not consider that arrangements for evacuation should be brought within their scope.