HC Deb 30 March 1939 vol 345 cc2186-7
2. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister of Labour what complaints he has received from manufacturers wishing to establish businesses in Special Areas that the terms of assistance under the Special Areas Reconstruction Act are less favourable than those generally obtainable from commercial banks?

Mr. E. Brown

I have received no complaints of this character.

Mr. Edwards

Does the Minister consider that this experiment has been prolific or barren, and does he claim that these conclusions could not have been obtained through ordinary means?

Mr. Brown

There is no doubt that the experiment has been a great success, so much so that there is not much left in the fund.

Mr. Edwards

Could not the special facilities have been obtained in other ways?

Mr. Brown

I could not give an answer on that subject in reply to a supplementary question.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Is it not a fact that industries in other areas are complaining of the competition from the Special Areas?

Mr. Brown

I could not go as far as that. I have seen complaints from individual industries.