§ 4. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the situation in Barton-on-Humber where many of the inhabitants, unable to find work locally, are obliged to go fifteen miles to shift work in the steel works at Scunthorpe; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage industry to come to towns and villages near Scunthorpe, such as Barton-on-Humber, where rail and sea transport are readily available.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am aware that some workers travel daily from Barton-on-Humber to Scunthorpe, but this is to be expected in modern conditions and I do not consider that I should be justified in encouraging further industrial development in Barton-on-Humber, in view of its present low rate of unemployment and of the overriding needs of the development districts.
§ Mr. MallalieuDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this low unemployment is caused by the fact that a great many, not just some, of the inhabitants of Barton-on-Humber have this appalling burden of going to Scunthorpe, fifteen miles, in all weathers and at all times of the day, because of shift work? The reason that there is low unemployment is that they have to 1499 go to Scunthorpe. Is he satisfied with the position in Barton? Would it not be much better to try to induce some other industry to go there and at least to employ those workers who are too old to go to Scunthorpe and in any case do not want to go there?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that fifteen miles each way daily can be described as an appalling burden. My duty by Statute is to give proper preference to the requirements of those districts where unemployment is still substantial.