§ 3. Mr. Probertasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in the preparation of the Plan for Wales, he will ask the Welsh Planning Board to consider the Aberdare-Hirwaun area as one for possible industrial and urban expansion.
§ Mr. James GriffithsYes, Sir. With the completion later this year of the Heads of the Valleys Road and with the road improvements which I announced last November, this area will have good access both to the Midlands and to South-West Wales. Its labour resources should also help to make it attractive for further industrial development. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Welsh Planning Board will bear these advantages very much in mind.
§ Mr. ProbertI thank my right hon. Friend for that very encouraging reply, but will he consider also the possibility of this area as an effective counter-attraction to the possible conurbation now growing up in and around Cardiff and South Glamorganshire?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am deeply concerned about the future of the Valleys. I attach great importance to the completion of the Heads of the Valleys Road to Hirwaun and its extension beyond that to South-West Wales. I hope that this will make the Valleys much more attractive because their communications will be so much improved.