HC Deb 15 December 1966 vol 738 cc634-5
9. Mr. Birch

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the effect of the Selective Employment Tax on the employment of the old and the handicapped in North Wales.

Mr. Cledywn Hughes

None, Sir.

Mr. Birch

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Medical Officer of Health for the Flintshire County Council has made representations to the Welsh Board of Health about the loss of work of handicapped men and women in Flint-shire, because of the Selective Employment Tax? If there is to be a Selective Employment Tax, would it not be much better to give privilege to the old, the disabled and the handicapped rather than the other way round, as it now works?

Mr. Hughes

I read reports in the Press on the views of the Medical Officer of Health for Flintshire that representations are to be made to the Welsh Board of Health. My Office will be in touch with the Board about these reports and with the Ministry of Labour, which is paying particular attention to the effects of S.E.T. on employment prospects. Any firm evidence will be considered by the Welsh Economic Council and a report made to me as soon as possible.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not only the Medical Officer of Health for Flint who is concerned about this matter? This has been raised by various hon. Members and by people outside. As it is now a long time since the Budget, may we not have the report from the right hon. Gentleman's Office, which we know the Welsh Economic Council is considering upon this matter?

Mr. Hughes

As the hon. Member must know by now, the reports of the Welsh Economic Council and of any other Economic Council in the United Kingdom are not published. I would ask him to bear this in mind. These councils report, in the case of Wales, to me, in the case of Scotland, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and, in the case of the English Economic Councils, to the First Secretary of State.