§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that no unemployed men residing in Newcastle have yet been afforded opportunities of obtaining smallholdings or poultry farms under the Special Areas Development Act, 1934; and when such opportunities are likely to be afforded them?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI am informed that early in February the Commissioner for the Special Areas addressed a letter to the Newcastle City Council as the smallholdings authority offering to co-operate with the council in settling a number of unemployed men on the land through the agency of the Smallholdings Acts. No reply to the letter has been received, but the Commissioner understands that the council do not wish to take any action themselves. The Commissioner is therefore hoping to arrange with the Land Settlement Association to undertake the work on his behalf, and the matter is under active consideration.