§ 47. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Prime Minister, in view of the excessive burden of work now imposed on Parliament, resulting increasingly in the delegation of powers to outside unrepresentative persons and bodies, if he will take immediate steps to devolve upon the people of Wales such powers as shall permit them the control and management of their own domestic affairs, and to establish the necessary machinery for that purpose.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The Government are satisfied that the special problems of the Welsh people can best be dealt with within the existing Parliamentary framework.
§ Mr. DaviesI would ask the Prime Minister most seriously whether he does not realise that the reply which he has just given will be regarded as a calculated affront by the Welsh people?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that my hon. Friend underestimates the understanding of the Welsh people of the problems involved in devolution.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the Prime Minister answer this question? When, at any time, has he revealed even an average understanding of the people of Wales?
§ 49. Mr. Emrys Robertsasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will convene a Welsh Economic Conference for the regular exchange of information and trends in Welsh economic affairs and to confer with a responsible Minister on questions of economic importance in Wales; and whether he will set up a committee of inquiry into Welsh affairs generally.
§ The Prime MinisterI assume that the Question has been prompted by the Scottish arrangements outlined in the recent White Paper. Hon. Members will appreciate, I am sure, that there are considerable differences between the circumstances of Scotland and Wales, but the 1469 Government will be prepared to examine, with appropriate consultations, whether, and if so to what extent, the administrative proposals in the Scottish White Paper could usefully be applied to Wales. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Prime Minister aware that his assumption is correct and that there is widespread dissatisfaction in Wales at what appears to be more satisfactory treatment for Scotland, in that she is given greater control of her own affairs? Can he indicate when the examination of the problem will take place which he has promised in his reply to my Question?
§ The Prime MinisterAs soon as we can get down to it. I cannot give the day or the week, but I am promising these consultations. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that there is a difference between the Scottish and the Welsh position, owing to the different code of law obtaining in Scotland.
§ Mr. RobertsWill the Prime Minister promise to examine the problem during his next holiday in North Wales?
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the hon. Member aware that Scotland is a nation and that Wales is only a Principality?