HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1475-6
9. Sir William Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour whether there are any prospects of new industries in the Brynamman area, where all the tinworks and coal mines have closed down, and where there is still a large number of unemployed workers ready and willing to work?

Mr. E. Brown

I regret that I am not aware of any new industrial undertaking which is likely to be established at Brynamman.

Sir W. Jenkins

Have any steps been taken to make inquiries to see whether something cannot be done for this area?

Mr. Brown

This is one of the areas to which the Ministry is constantly drawing the attention of new industries.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In the meantime will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Lord Privy Seal on the possibility of some orders for air-raid shelters being diverted to works in this area which are likely to be able to deal with them?

Mr. Brown

That has been done but we have to consider the needs of the whole area.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is the right hon. Gentleman in touch with any organisation which could help him to get new industries set up by refugees from the Continent who have special technical knowledge?

Mr. Brown

All these organisations are put in touch at once, and given advice on these matters by the Ministry of Labour, and this is one of the areas the claims of which I am constantly pressing.

Mr. E. J. Williams

Does not the Minister realise that concentration on the Treforest Trading Estate is militating against the prospect of other parts of the area?

Mr. Brown

I should not say that. I should say, on the contrary, that the success of Treforest and other trading estates is more likely to help these areas than anything else, because it proves that they are areas to which industrialists who wish to develop their industries would do well to go.