§ 49. Mr. George Thomasasked the Prime Minister whether he will state the powers to be exercised by the Minister in charge of Welsh affairs; and whether this Minister will have any responsibility for education, health, or agriculture in Wales.
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid I have not got any more Welsh words for the hon. Gentleman today. I apologise.
The function of the Minister in charge of Welsh affairs is to inform himself of the Welsh aspect of business by visiting the Principality and by discussion with representatives of Welsh life and to speak in Cabinet on behalf of the special interests and aspirations of Wales. He will be assisted by a Welsh Under-Secretary.
It is not proposed to confer executive powers on the Home Secretary as Minister for Welsh affairs and he will therefore have no direct responsibility to Parliament for education, health and agriculture in Wales or for the administration in Wales on any services for which other Ministers are departmentally responsible.
§ Mr. ThomasSince it is perfectly clear that the Minister in charge of Welsh affairs will have no power over Welsh affairs, would the Prime Minister agree that all that remains is that every Minister retains his full powers in connection with the Welsh Departments of his Ministry and that the new Minister will take their opinions about Welsh affairs. or will the powers of Ministers be in any way weakened by this appointment?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think we have made an advance which we hope 816 will be agreeable to the Welsh people—which certainly need not be disagreeable to them. It is a step on the road that they wish to tread. I think we must see how this works before we try to lay down any definite principles or reach any final conclusions. It is far better that we should see how it works. I have the view that a more intimate comprehension of the Welsh point of view will occur as a result of the changes we have already made.
§ Mr. ThomasAm I to infer that if this appointment will not do any good for Wales, the right hon. Gentleman does not think it will do any harm?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a graceless method of expressing the situation which I doubt will be re-echoed from the mountains of Wales.
§ Mr. Raymond GowerWill the Prime Minister give an assurance that if he finds that this appointment is of benefit to Wales, there will possibly be an expansion in this important field for the Welsh people?
§ The Prime MinisterWe should certainly be at no disadvantage electorally if all the Welsh Members on botn sides of the House withdrew from our Division Lobbies, but we hope to preserve unity while making it work in harmony.