§ 28. Mr. Pargiterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by the Government of Nyasaland to counteract unemployment in the building industry.
§ Mr. J. AmeryProvision has been made for the coming year for the expenditure of £120,000 on African housing, £100,000 on loans to local authorities, and for the construction of administrative buildings and schools. The Government 1506 are now calling for contracts for works under these heads, which should do much to counteract unemployment in the building industry.
§ Mr. PargiterDoes the Under-Secretary consider this to be at all adequate, having regard to the fact that this is one of the industries in which artisans are being trained in the building industry, technical colleges and elsewhere? How unfortunate it would be if there were not adequate avenues of employment for them?
§ Mr. AmeryI would never claim that it is enough, because targets and horizons in this are very high, but it is a substantial step and will do a good deal to counteract the current unemployment.
§ Mr. PargiterWill the Minister keep a careful eye on this?