§ Mr. MacNeill Weirasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered representations from the county council of Stirling calling for amending legislation to the Special Areas Act whereby the benefits of that Act may be made available to all districts in Scotland proving need and excessive unemployment and not, as at present, limited to districts known as special areas; and what steps he is prepared to take to ensure that the benefits of the Special Areas Act be available in districts which show excessive unemployment and extreme poverty?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have carefully considered the representations referred to. While the Special Areas Acts have meanwhile been2350W continued for a further period by the Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1938, and it is not proposed to amend them, I would remind the hon. Member that it is proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose of making loan facilities more readily available for new industrial undertakings in areas of heavy unemployment.