§ 66. Lieut.-Colonel Mackesonasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the heavy damage caused in Folkestone and Hythe and the dislocation of trade which still exists, he will have a report prepared on the industrial and economic situation of these two towns.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithNo, Sir. Our regional controller and those of the other Departments concerned are in close touch with the situation in these two towns and we see no reason to ask for a special report.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MackesonIn view of the fact that a report has been prepared on the town of Dover, which has not suffered very much more than these two towns, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider his reply?
§ Mr. SmithIf the hon. and gallant Member will come along and discuss it with us, we will reconsider it. But may I ask him to consider, at the same time, that the most recent unemployment figures showed that in mid-October there were 35 men and boys, and 35 women and girls wholly unemployed at Folkestone? The figures at Hythe are not immediately available. If in spite of that, the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to pursue the matter further and will come along, we will see him.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MackesonIs the Minister aware that these two towns are full of soldiers and that, of course, there are no unemployed —except unemployed in uniform?