§ Mr. ACLANDasked (1) the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the possibility, in view of the particularly distressed position of the tin-mining industry in Cornwall, of diverting the relief now being paid to the unemployed in this area to economic and industrial use by setting the men to work in the mines;
(2) the Prime Minister whether the Government can hold out any hope of being able to assist in any way, by loan or grant, any amalgamated scheme of development which may be put forward on behalf of the distressed mining industry in Cornwall?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to answer these questions. The Government are opposed to any policy of subsidising industry on the ground that conditions of economic trading are the only sound basis for regaining national prosperity. The only form of assistance available for industry is that provided by the Trade Facilities Act, and the ques- 2449W tion whether any scheme should be granted such assistance is a question for the Advisory Committee under that Act.