§ 50. Mr. Bowenasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the growing concern in Wales at the Government's policy of doing away with the existing forms of autonomy in relation to administrative machinery in connection with Welsh affairs, while making no provision for decentralisation in so far as Wales is concerned, when setting up new machinery, in particular in relation to the social service; and if he has any statement to make on the subject.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any such changes as are implied by the hon. Member's Question. As far as the existing administrative machinery is concerned no change has been made, or is contemplated, in connection with the Welsh Board of Health or the Welsh Department of Education. In establishing the organisation necessary for administering the new Insurance Scheme, careful regard will be paid to the considerations which the hon. Member mentions. It will be necessary for reasons of efficiency to concentrate certain items of work at one centre, but it is anticipated that a large degree of decentralisation will be both possible and desirable as regards the handling of individual cases.
§ Mr. BowenIs the Prime Minister not aware that the decentralisation which has existed in relation to the administration of the Health and Pensions Acts since 1912, ceased in April of this year?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it alters the tenor of my answer. There is no suggestion that we could reduce the present amount of decentralisation.