§ 15. Mr. Morrisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the inadequacy of the reports on Government action in Wales in past years, what steps he is taking to provide more comprehensive information.
§ Sir K. JosephThe Annual Report on Developments and Government Action in Wales has been considerably expanded in recent years, but I shall be glad to consider any suggestions for developing it further.
§ Mr. MorrisIs the Minister aware that the Welsh Report contains only nine pages dealing with agriculture, for example, while the Scottish Report has 96 pages dealing solely with that subject, and that in the Welsh Report there is no reference to the profitability of the industry compared with other areas, nor any breakdown of the Price Review? Will he consider whether more information can be given in the Report, as most of it otherwise has to be obtained by Question and Answer?
§ Sir K. JosephI will gladly consider the omissions which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. It is true that Scotland has a substantial report entirely devoted to agriculture, but it does not have a report on general development covering the whole field, as Wales does, and of which the section on agriculture is only one chapter.
§ Mr. G. ThomasWhile I do not wish to compare Welsh statistics with those of other parts of the United Kingdom, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the section dealing with education ought to be extended and deepened? Will he also consider that?
§ Sir K. JosephI would be grateful if the hon. Member would give me some of the points on which he thinks the Report is weak—perhaps in correspondence. I will certainly look at them.