HC Deb 05 October 1939 vol 351 cc2062-3
6. Mr. Windsor

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the grave consequences of un employment and commercial loss resulting from the action of His Majesty's Government in requisitioning almost the whole of the Hull fishing fleet; and whether he can state what immediate and comprehensive action he proposes to take in mitigation of the widespread and acute distress following upon the discontinuance of the principal industry in Hull?

Mr. E. Brown

As the hon. Member knows, the situation at Hull was recently represented to the Admiralty by a deputation from that city. Certain measures were then proposed and discussed, and these, together with any others that may seen practicable, will be actively pursued.

Mr. Windsor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since this question was put down, and since that deputation, further infringements are being made on the industries in Hull and that more industries are likely to close down; and will he take up this matter with the appropriate Department, so that Hull will not be wiped off as an industrial centre?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member was a member of the deputation and put it to the appropriate Department, and I am informed that it has now been decided that 10 trawlers which would otherwise have been requisitioned by the Navy will not now be taken.

Mr. Windsor

My representation is as to what has happened, since the deputation, to other industries apart from this one?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member is referring to other Departments, he had better take it up with the other Departments. If it comes within the range of my Department, I will look into any question that he puts to me.

Mr. Windsor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will come within the range of his responsibility on the question of unemployment, and that I am asking him to deal with that and to take it up with the other Departments as well as myself?

Mr. Brown

That, of course, is a question of effect, and I think the House will agree with me that the first thing to do is to deal with the cause and not the effect.