§ 1. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the fact that well over 50,000 applicants sought assistance during 1938 in the Swansea district of the Unemployment Assistance Board and that these figures reveal a serious unemployment position in West Wales, he will take steps to establish new industries in the area?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)I am aware of the unemployment position in West Wales, but except in the case of factories required directly for Government purposes, for example, the manufacture of armaments, the Government itself has no power to establish industrial undertakings. Several factories for the manufacture of munitions are, in fact, being established in the area to which the hon. Member refers. We are regularly drawing the attention of those proposing to establish new industries to the possibilities of this area.
§ Mr. GriffithsCan the right hon. Gentleman now state whether it is the intention this Session to deal with areas outside the Schedule of Special Areas as was promised at the beginning of the Session?
§ Mr. GriffithsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know whether that was stated at the beginning of this Session?