asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields and the Boldon areas of Durham County, the percentages of the insured unemployed are as follow: Sunderland 31, South Shields 33.2, and the Boldon areas 29.4; and what steps are being taken to establish new industries in those areas so as to find work for the numbers of unemployed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 24th November, 1936. I must now ask him to await the proposals which will be embodied in the Bill which it is hoped to introduce in the near future.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Governmen have any schemes to find work for the unemployed in that particular area?

Not at the moment.