HC Deb 16 May 1939 vol 347 cc1170-2
3. Mr. De Chair

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consider the setting up of civilian conservation camps for the young unemployed in Newfoundland for work on the Government forestry belt on the lines of the civilian conservation camps in the United States of America?

Sir T. Inskip

I am somewhat doubtful whether conditions in Newfoundland are suitable for action of this kind, but I will communicate with the Commission of Government in regard to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is meant by a "conservation camp"?

Sir T. Inskip

I understand it is a name given to an experiment or policy in the United States whereby young men from 17 to 20 or 21 in groups of about 200 are employed on all sorts of work in connection with forests, soil erosion, and so on.

4. Mr. De Chair

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what new plans of a far-reaching character are contemplated in the near future for the rehabilitation of Newfoundland; whether His Majesty's Government have accepted the recommendations of Mr. Gorvin; and whether he can state the precise terms of these recommendations?

Sir T. Inskip

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave on 25th April to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day). As regards the second part, the position is that the recommendations made by Mr. Gorvin in his recent report to the Commission of Government have been accepted in principle, and that measures to give effect to them are now in course of preparation by the Commission in connection with their Budget proposals for 1939–40. Mr. Gorvin's report covers a wide field, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Lunn

Is it a fact that Mr. Gorvin has been made a Commissioner of Government?

Sir T. Inskip

Perhaps the hon. Member will ask me in a few days' time.

Mr. Paling

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that steps are really to be taken to do something of a progressive and really good character to overcome the troubles in Newfoundland; and that in future we may not have such complacent reports from the Commissioners as we have had up to the present?

Sir T. Inskip

I hope I may say that still further good steps are being taken towards relieving the state of things there.

Mr. De Chair

Has my right hon. Friend seen the statement in the Press to-day that Mr. Gorvin has been appointed a Commissioner?

Sir T. Inskip

I was not aware that the statement had appeared in the Press. Perhaps I may say that Mr. Gorvin's name was submitted some days ago, but I was not aware that it had been published.

Mr. Lunn

Does that mean that his report, which is of a far-reaching character, will be put into operation now for the relief of the depressed position of the people of Newfoundland?

Sir T. Inskip

I have stated that his report has been approved and that detailed measures are in course of preparation.