HC Deb 24 June 1954 vol 529 cc591-3
46 and 47. Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement indicating the progress made in implementing the promises held out in Command Paper No. 9014, Rural Wales;

(2) when legislation providing special assistance towards the improvement of unclassified and unadopted roads as announced in paragraph 33 of Command Paper No. 9014, Rural Wales, will be introduced.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The investigations by the Welsh Sub-Commission of the Agricultural Land Commission and the Welsh Agricultural Organisation Society are making good progress and the latter is nearing completion. The National Agricultural Advisory Service are doing much useful work in advising Welsh upland farmers, particularly in the matter of the production and utilisation of grass. A number of proposals for water supply are being examined in the light of the policy announced in the White Paper, and the number of houses completed in Welsh rural districts is increasing. Good progress is being made in electrification in rural Wales. It will not be possible to introduce legislation relating to unclassified and unadopted roads in the present Session.

Mr. Roberts

Is it not a fact that it is some seven months since this Paper was produced and that the delay in implementing these minor concessions must cause acute distress in Wales?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

There has been an advance in all the directions I stated, and I shall certainly do everything I can to accelerate the tempo.

Mr. Callaghan

In view of the fact that a promise was made to introduce legislation this Session to give relief to agricultural Wales in the matter of unclassified roads, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us why it is not forthcoming?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I cannot go further than I have. Legislation is in course of preparation at the present time, and much work has been done on it.

Mr. Callaghan

It was promised this Session.

Mr. Watkins

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider publishing in the Government White Paper on action in Wales, which is to be published before long, a statement of what has been done in Wales since the publication of the White Paper, "Rural Wales"? Will he be good enough to listen to my speech on the Adjournment tomorrow night? I am not satisfied with what has been done about electrification in rural Wales.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am terribly sorry about tomorrow night. I have promised to be at a police passing out parade. However, I shall certainly read very carefully in the OFFICIAL REPORT what the hon. Gentleman says.