§ 19. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the apprehension felt as to the possibility of employment when peace returns in those once depressed areas where no new industries have been established and where those who had been unemployed for years before the war are now working in munition factories outside those areas; and whether be will make a more specific statement on this problem than has been made up to date?
§ Mr. DaltonI am fully alive to the importance of this question, which has already received considerable study by the Board of Trade and other Departments concerned. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not possible to make a specific statement regarding future arrangements in any particular area, until we can see more clearly the future of the munitions factories to which he refers.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes not my right hon. Friend think it is time the Govt. came down to earth on this subject, instead of making glowing promises? Is he not aware that even this war will end some day and that the people in the depressed areas want to know what is to happen to those areas when the war ends?
§ Mr. DaltonMy hon. Friend knows that this matter is constantly being considered. I hope that, with regard to some aspect of the munition factories and their future, I shall be able to make a statement very shortly—on some aspects.
§ Mr. DaviesWhat does "very shortly" mean?
§ Mr. DaltonThe week after next, with luck.