§ 4. Mr. Grimondasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the possibility of giving assistance similar to that offered to the Buckie-Peterhead area to areas such as Shetland which have suffered high and continuous unemployment for many years.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Henry Strauss)I am informed that, so far as their resources allow, the Development Commissioners will be prepared to consider on their merits proposals for schemes in Shetland or other rural areas from applicants eligible under the Development and Road Improvement Fund Act, 1909, as amended.
§ Mr. GrimondWhile thanking the hon. and learned Gentleman for that answer, may I ask him if he agrees that unemployment in Shetland and other Highland areas has been considerably higher than in the Buckie-Peterhead area? Can he say whether any positive action is being taken by the Government or the Commissioners to find suitable light industries for those areas?
§ Mr. StraussThe area referred to in the Question presented, in our view, certain characteristics which made the Development Commission's methods particularly applicable. But, as I said in my answer, that does not mean that the area about which he specifically asked is excluded.