§ 44. Mr. Emrys Robertsasked the Prime Minister if he will set up a committee of inquiry to assess revenue and Government expenditure in Wales; and to prepare an economic balance sheet for Wales.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. RobertsCan the Prime Minister give any reason to the House why different treatment should be meted out to Wales as compared with Scotland? Surely a Question of this character deserves a more considerate answer than the abrupt one which the Prime Minister has just given.
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will realise that the Committee set up to consider the matter of the Scottish finances is, first of all, to consider whether it is possible or not to make this division. As I think will be agreed, the question of dividing Welsh and other United Kingdom expenditure is more difficult than that between Scotland and England, and it would be well to await the result in that case before embarking on anything with regard to Wales.
§ Mr. RobertsHow can the right hon. Gentleman say that the question is more difficult until the Committee have had a look at it?
§ The Prime MinisterThat matter has been before most of us for a great number of years. I think we all know that.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIf my right hon. Friend is considering this subject at all will he consider a very much larger inquiry to cover England, Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the desire for the kind of facts and figures which are asked for in my hon. Friend's Question is widespread among men and women of all political persuasions in Wales, and particularly among his own supporters in the Principality?
§ The Prime MinisterYes; therefore we had better see whether it is practicable to get them.