§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Labour whether the Special Areas Commissioners provide funds and employment for clearing the land of ruined buildings, etc., left behind by vanished industrial companies; and, if so, whether he will increase this form of useful public work?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer my hon. Friend to the forthcoming report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas2204W (England and Wales) for the year ending 30th September, 1938, from which it will be found that the Commissioner is assisting the carrying out of extensive schemes of site clearance. He would be prepared to consider on their merits further suitable schemes. All these schemes have been and will be promoted with a view to the general economic improvement of the areas and not for the sake of the immediate employment afforded.
In addition to these large schemes of site clearance the Commissioner is assisting a number of minor schemes of improvement carried out on a voluntary basis. Particulars of these schemes will also be found in the forthcoming report, but I would also refer by hon. Friend to paragraphs 404–409 of the Report for the year ending 30th September, 1937 (Cmd. 5595).
§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the statement in the Report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas in England and Wales, 1937, he can state the number of unemployed of 45 years and over who are suffering from diseases contracted through working in the mines, and also the nature of the various diseases?
§ Mr. E. BrownI regret that I am unable to furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend.