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Oral Answers
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Captain Crookshank: I am sending the hon. Member a statement of the position, and will have copies placed in the Library. Mr. James Griffiths: Has the Minister had any consultation with the Minister of Labour as to the way in which a number of miners have lost holiday pay because of the working of the Unemployment Assistance Board under the Ministry of Labour?
Captain Crookshank: I think that ques- tion should be addressed to the Minister
of Labour.
NEWFOUNDLAND.
The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. LUNN:
18. To ask the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any in- formation to give the House as to the position of affairs in Newfoundland?
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Mr. Lunn: In asking this question, may say how much we regret that the right hon. Gentleman who was Secretary of State for the Dominions when I put down the question is not here to answer it?
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald): The House shares that regret, and I believe it will be given an opportunity later to express it fully.
Economic conditions in Newfoundland have been adversely affected during the present year both by increased difficulties in the export markets for codfish, and also by the prevailing depression in the newsprint industry, which has led to a severe curtailment of logging activities. The Commission of Government have en- deavoured to meet this difficult situation, partly by the introduction of a special short-term programme of road and public works and partly by the adoption of cer- tain measures of assistance to the fishing industry. It was not possible, however, by Government action to offset in full the shortage of employment in the fishing and logging industries, and I regret to say that recent relief returns are showing an increase over and above the normal seasonal fluctuation. A satisfactory feature is that the mining industry con- tinues to operate at full capacity.
In the field of social services, the Gov- ernment are making progress with general public health campaign initiated
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last year, with special anti-tuberculosis activities, and with the expansion of hospital accommodation at St. John's. There has also been a considerable ex- pansion of agricultural activity during the past season.
Mr. Lunn: When may we expect a re- port on the condition of affairs in New-
foundland?
Mr. MacDonald: The hon. Member knows that a regular annual report is published and I would have to make in- quiries as to when the next annual report is expected to be in the hands of hon. Members.
Mr. Maxton: May I take it from the answer that the dictatorship in Newfound- land has failed to solve the essential problems of that territory?
Mr. MacDonald: I do not think any form of government in Newfoundland could have stopped the civil war in Spain or the policy of the Brazilian Government in putting up a tariff or the protection of the newsprint industry in the United States of America. All the Government have done is to make the most of the oppor- tunities they have.
Mr. Maxton: Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that his predecessor was not prepared to accept that type of excuse when a democratic government was in office?
ALBERTA.
21. Mr. Lyons asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the present financial position of Alberta; whether any fresh issue of Prosperity Certificates has been made; and what is the position of the bond issue of the province?
23 and 24. Sir John Mellor asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether he will make a further state- ment with regard to the service of the loans issued by the Government of Alberta in the United Kingdom;
(2) whether he will make a statement with regard to recent legislation by the Government of Alberta affecting loans and mortgages?
Mr. M. MacDonald: As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and learned Friends' permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
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Oral Answers
Following is the answer:
I NOVEMBER 1938
I am not aware of any substantial change in the financial position of Alberta since the information which I gave to the hon. and learned Member in reply to a question on 8th February last. It appears, however, from an interim finan- cial report of the Province for the three months ended 30th June, 1938, that the total cash surplus for the preceding three months was $482,429, as compared with $97,379 for the corresponding period in 1937. It also appears from this report that the aggregate net funded and un- funded debt of the Province at 30th June, 1938, was $156,747,689, as compared with a corresponding figure of $158,151,547 quoted in the Provincial Treasurer's Budget speech on 25th February, 1938.
As regards recent legislation of the Province of Alberta affecting loans and mortgages, I understand that the Dominion Government in June last dis- allowed the Home Owners' Security Act, 1938, and the Securities Tax Act, 1938, of the Legislature of Alberta. It is under- stood that the Government of Alberta is still prepared to pay interest on its loan issues at the rate of one half the contrac- tual rate. So far as I am aware no fresh issue of Prosperity Certificates has been made.
Mr. H. G. Williams: Can my right hon. Friend give any indication as to when the Government are going to pay their debts?
MERCANTILE MARINE.
28. Mr. Shinwell asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Gov- ernment have any plans in contemplation for strengthening the position of the British Mercantile Marine?
The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley): The British ship- ping industry is at present actively en- gaged in a comprehensive inquiry into the position. My Department is being kept informed of the progress of the work. The Government will give full considera- tion to the results of this inquiry, as soon as they are available.
Mr. Shinwell: Is the right hon. Gentle- man aware that the tramp shipowners have in contemplation a scheme for laying
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up vessels; and does that constitute a scheme for the welfare of the Mercantile Marine?
AIRCRAFT SUPPLY (CANADA).
31. Mr. Simmonds asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement with regard to the Air Mission to Canada?
The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood): It is not yet possible for me to make a definite statement in this matter beyond the announcement made on 2nd September last as to the results of the Mission's work. Negotia- tions are actively proceeding with the representatives of the Canadian aircraft firms who have come to London at my invitation, and it is hoped that a success- ful conclusion will be reached in the early future.
Mr. Simmonds: Are these orders to be
placed direct from this country, or will they come through the Canadian Govern-
ment?
Sir K. Wood: I will make a full state- ment on the negotiations which are now being carried on, which I hope will result satisfactorily.
AIR-RAID PRECAUTIONS.
33. Mr. Touche asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can make a statement as regards the progress of recruiting for air-raid pre- cautions?
36. Mr. Simmonds asked the Home Secretary the results to date of his appeal for further volunteers for air-raid pre- cautionary work?
The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd): According to the latest information, the total number of air-raid precautions per- sonnel who have enrolled with the local This authorities is now over 1,000,000. figure includes some 150,000 who enrolled as the result of the special appeals made at the beginning of October, and some 250,000 who enrolled during the crisis.
Mr. Simmonds: Is a complete investiga- tion being made into this situation, and, in particular, is my hon. Friend consider- ing whether it is not essential that these volunteers should be under some form of
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