§ 13. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Labour why he is abandoning the administrative organisation and staffs set up under the Special Areas Act; and what steps he is taking to carry out the schemes already agreed to and to give the necessary attention to those for which he has responsibility under the Act?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 21st September and to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) and Linlithgow on 26th September. In view of the present scope of the work of the commissioners, there have been reductions of staff, but sufficient personnel is being retained to carry on the work on the principles laid down in the answers to which I have referred, and the organisations have not been disbanded.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that those who live in these areas see the signs of disbandment and know that there is need for reorganisation?
§ Mr. BrownMy original answer shows that. My anticipations have been falsified and the reduction has been less than I thought it might be in the drastic changeover from peace to war.
§ Mr. George HallIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that commitments have been made to organisations carrying out social and other work in those areas, and is it intended that these grants shall be continued?