Distressed Area

Following their recent discussion on the classification of the Conisborough district as a distressed area, the Clerk to the Urban Council (Mr Spencer Baker) has dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Health, in which he states that recently at the Cadeby Main Colliery the Parkgate seam was closed down entirely and 840 men were thrown out of employment.

Some of these have been taken back into employment, but most of those dispense with are still unemployed and are not likely to get back to work in this district.

“The members of the Council regard this problem as so serious and urgent, because they can see that many of those who have been out of employment for a long period are suffering from progressive physical deterioration. This applies not only to the men, but their wives and children, in spite of the help given by the local Public Assistance Committee.

It is natural that this should be so, since the amounts granted by the statutory bodies charged with the duty of assistance do not provide for some of the most human needs of life. Among the unemployed are men and women who are prepared to go without the necessaries of life in order to provide food and clothing and a little pleasure for their children.

According to modern standards men and women need not only full and warm clothing but a certain amount of entertainment and enjoyment. Without these things life becomes insupportable will stop in order to get the things they have no choice but to neglect the primary physical needs of life. That is why there is so much physical deterioration.

The members of my Council feel that they cannot close their eyes to these facts and, accordingly, they have directed me to press for a reconsideration of the original application made to the Ministry, that upon this question being brought before Parliament again the Act now in force be amended so as to admit of this district being scheduled as one of the special areas.”

This appeal follows a decision of the last meeting of the Council, again to advocate that the time for the inclusion of the Conisborough district in the special areas was now opportune.