§ 24. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to ensure that the new factory in the Nantlle Valley in the county of Caernarvon, due to be opened next month, will give employment to local unemployed persons.
§ Sir W. MoncktonMy local office at Penygroes is in close touch with the employer. Local persons will have the first opportunity of employment apart, possibly, from a few key men who may be necessary to get the factory working.
§ Mr. RobertsIn that case, will the Minister kindly explain why a number of unemployed persons in this stricken valley have been disallowed their unemployment benefit because they would not move away from their homes to take up work in Bristol and London?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI am afraid that I cannot deal without notice with a point about individual cases where unemployment benefit has been refused. I suppose that they are cases where what was thought to be suitable employment had been declined.
§ Mr. RobertsWill the Minister look into the point that this new factory is designed to meet the needs of the local unemployment and was set up with finances provided by the Development Corporation, and will he kindly see that no further compulsory migration from this stricken valley is enforced by his Department?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have already said that our hope is that local persons will get the first opportunity of this new employment, which is expected in April.