§ 5. Mr. Edward Evansasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large increase in the numbers of unemployed during the last months in the Lowestoft area; and whether he will take steps to encourage new industries, especially in the field of light manufacturing, to establish themselves there and in other small towns in north-east Suffolk where there are adequate facilities.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am aware of the recent increase of unemployment in the Lowestoft area. The Board of Trade will continue to bring Lowestoft and neighbouring towns which are in need of new industry to the attention of suitable firms.
§ Mr. EvansIs the President aware that two contributory causes of redundancy and unemployment in that area are, first, the shortage of steel for the ship-repairing and shipbuilding yards and, secondly, the importation of Portuguese processed timber?
§ Sir D. EcclesI was not aware of those two contributory causes, but I will look into them.