§ Sir W. SMILESasked the Minister of Labour whether any schemes have been, or are to be, financially assisted by the Government for the employment of men from the distressed areas on coastal protection work?
Mr. STANLEYThe general position as regards Government assistance for coastal protection works is described in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member's question of 2nd May by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. The Commissioners for the Special Areas have also 1715W certain limited powers to assist public works intended to facilitate the economic development within their respective areas. As regards the employment of men from the distressed areas when an Exchequer grant is made for a coastal protection work, no specific obligation is, as a rule, imposed upon the local authority, but where public works are being carried out in areas in which the state of employment permits of the importation of labour from other districts, it is the Government's desire that opportunities should be afforded to depressed area men.