HC Deb 09 March 1939 vol 344 cc2351-2W
Mr. Edwards

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the type of facilities available for the provision of capital by which a number of industrial undertakings have been attracted to the Special Areas on the North-east Coast?

Mr. E. Brown

In addition to normal market facilities, the promoters of new industrial undertakings in the Special Areas have been eligible to apply for financial assistance by way of loan either from the Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited, working under the Special Areas Reconstruction (Agreement) Act, 1936, or the Treasury under Section 6 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937. I understand that Lord Nuffield's private trust has also been instrumental in providing capital assistance for a number of such undertakings.

Sir W. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps have been taken to implement the report of the Commissioner for Special Areas for 1936 to improve the amenities in distressed areas to attract new industries; and in what areas action has been taken in South Wales.

Mr. E. Brown

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the statement in paragraph 69 of the Commissioner's report of February, 1936 (Cmd. 5090), in which it is stated that the sites in South Wales, where there is scope for work of this type (clearance of sites and their development for industrial purposes), are mainly outside the Special Area. It will be appreciated that the Commissioner has no power to undertake such work outside the Special Areas. Under Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, however, provision is made for Government assistance towards the formation of a site company in suitable cases which as part of its activity would have power to clear sites for industrial development.

The hon. Member will, of course, be aware that inside the Special Area in South Wales the Commissioner is doing a great deal of work in the direction of improving the amenities of the area.