§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to initiate this winter any further schemes of development, including a road-bridge across the Forth, in order to provide work for the unemployed in Scotland, and especially in Leith and the Lothians?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have been asked to reply. With regard to the suggested road-bridge across the Forth, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 24th January by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to a question by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Shinwell). With regard to the remainder of the question, schemes to provide work for persons unemployed are initiated by local authorities who can apply to the Unemployment Grants Committee or other appropriate Department for a grant-in-aid from the State. Schemes promoted by local authorities in Scotland have been approved for grant or are being considered by the Committee. In addition it was announced on 1st January that grants may be made through the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to individuals or bodies of persons who undertake to carry out schemes approved by the Department for the drainage and improvement of agricultural land with a view to providing relief for unemployment. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply given on 30th January to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle).