HC Deb 24 June 1965 vol 714 cc1916-7
7. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the investigations of the new town consultants have been limited to the area between Caersws and the English border.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. James Griffiths)

I have asked the consultants to consider this area in the first place because, on the advice of the Welsh Planning Board, an up-to-date urban centre developed here would be well placed in relation to other parts of Mid-Wales, including other towns where the Development Commissioners are accelerating the provision of small factories, and because of the road and rail facilities which already exist along the Severn Valley.

Mr. Hooson

Is the Secretary of State aware that it is a widely held view that if there is a new town in the area the further west it is the better? If it is in the eastern part of mid-Wales it will inevitably draw population from the west and will add to the depopulation of the rural areas.

Mr. Griffiths

My anxiety is to see that the first new town in Mid-Wales is so placed as to be able to attract industry and workers there, including some of the 100,000 Welshmen who left Wales to seek work in the Midlands conurbation. If this is done and is a success its influence will extend to other parts of Wales.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

We would not all agree with the attitude of the right hon. Gentleman towards the idea of a new town in Central Wales, but if there is to be such a town, can he tell us whether the present investigations by the consultants are limited to Montgomeryshire, or whether this is merely the first step and that he may go elsewhere?

Mr. Griffiths

It is not limited. I have asked them in the first place to look at the Severn Valley because this seems to me to be the most appropriate place.

Mr. Hooson

May we take it from that reply that the Secretary of State intends, immediately after they have made the first report, to ask them to make a second report—to investigate a second area?

Mr. Griffiths

When I have received their first report I shall consider it, and I hope that we shall then be able to make a final decision.