§ 44. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now accept the recommendation of the Council for Wales to set up a corporation to deal with the problem of depopulation in rural Wales, in view of the decision of the Secretary of State for Scotland to set up a Commission for the Highlands of Scotland according to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Crofting Conditions, Command Paper No. 9091.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe establishment of this Commission, whose powers will be restricted to purely agricultural matters arising out of the peculiarities of the crofting system in Scotland, does not affect the Government's decision not to establish a development corporation for rural Wales. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has indicated, the Commission will deal exclusively with matters relating to crofter holdings, which do not exist in Wales, and its work will not in any way cut across the functions of local authorities.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that the problems of the Highlands of Scotland and of rural Wales are very similar? Is he further aware that Wales has been very badly treated by comparison with Scotland? Will he be good enough to look at the problem again, in view of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the rural parts of Wales?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeAt any rate, I know about the urgency of the problem in Wales. I would point out to the hon. Member that one aspect of the problem is being investigated by the Welsh Sub-Commission of the Agricultural Land Commission, and that there is no similar body in Scotland. I think the roads aspect of the Welsh problem is very important. The Crofting Commission will not have any powers to deal with roads and sewerage.