§ 44. Mr. Pearsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether, in view of the backward state of planning in the Welsh counties, he will immediately appoint a Welsh regional advisory committee to co-operate with his Regional Planning Officer for Wales; and whether, in connection with the promised legislation for town and country planning, he will make provision for a separate planning department for Wales and Monmouthshire?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning (Mr. Henry Strauss)My Noble Friend is aware of the backward state of planning in some Welsh counties, and this is one of the problems to which the recently appointed Planning Officer for Wales is giving his attention. The possibility of appointing an advisory committee on town and country planning in Wales will not be overlooked, but, before my Noble Friend took such a step, he would desire to consult the Advisory Council on Welsh Reconstruction Problems. In answer to the last part of the Question, I am not in a position to make a statement regarding forthcoming legislation, but the position of Wales will be borne in mind.