HC Deb 11 May 1944 vol 399 cc2087-8
57. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister without Portfolio if his attention has been directed to the success of the planning carried out in the Tennessee Valley; and if plans are being prepared for several similar miniature schemes to be operated in areas like North Staffordshire and Lancashire.

The Minister Without Portfolio (Sir William Jowitt)

I am aware of the American scheme to which my hon. Friend refers, but the conditions are not the same as those in the industrial areas in this country which he mentions. The Government will, of course, always keep under review the possibility of framing schemes for the improvement of the resources of these areas and of other parts of the country.

Mr. Smith

Will my right hon. and learned Friend give the House some indication of where the conditions differ in industrial centres in this country from the position in the Tennessee Valley?

Sir W. Jowitt

I would recommend my hon. Friend to read the account of the Tennessee Valley experiment, which is quite a different community.

Mr. Smith

I have read that very closely, and is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that President Roosevelt ex- hibited great courage when he insisted that this planning should be carried out around a Government building; and will he give an undertaking that it is the policy of the Government that similar planning, based upon social ownership, shall be carried out around the Government factories in this country after the war?

Sir W. Jowitt

Certainly, it is the policy of this Government to do all they can to promote effective and useful schemes.

Mr. Wakefield

Is it not a fact that there are many fine schemes in the British Empire which have been developed by private enterprise without going to the United States of America for them?