§ Q3. Dr. Brayasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that delays in reaching decisions by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour are handicapping the recovery of areas of high unemployment; and if he will consider means of achieving closer co-ordination of their work.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any such delays. On the contrary, I am satisfied that the existing arrangements are working well.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Prime Minister aware that these two Ministers are perhaps not the happiest survivors of the July purge, and that any responsibility given to Lord Hailsham can only add to the delays which have taken place—for instance, Ministry of Labour, six months to approve a grant of £3,000; Board of Trade, a year to catch up with the forecast of labour demands of particular industries.
§ The Prime MinisterThe arrangements are working well and I think that my noble Friend's appointment has been generally well received.
Mr. HamiltonHas the right hon. Gentleman ascertained whether the relevent Department has compared the practice in this country with the practice in Northern Ireland? Is he aware that in a letter to me not so long ago the President of the Board of Trade admitted that procedures in Northern Ireland are much more expeditious than in this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid that I cannot be expected to know about the private correspondence between the hon. Gentleman and the President of the Board of Trade.