HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc860-1
32. Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement with regard to the establishment of an agricultural college for Wales.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

As my right hon. Friend made clear in his reply to the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Hooson) on 16th December of last year, this is now a matter for the Welsh Joint Education Committee, which has not yet put a proposal to him which he could consider for a building programme.

Mr. Morgan

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask his Ministry to give every encouragement and leadership to the deep and widespread feeling in Wales that such a national institution should be established in Wales? Can he give an indication of whether it will be centrally situated and what negotiations are taking place between the Welsh Joint Education Committee and the Department?

Mr. Roberts

My Department is always very ready to assist this Joint Committee in everything it undertakes. Assistance is now being given to the Committee on this project. As to the proposal centrally to site this proposed college, I take my hon. Friend's point, but it must be part of the building programme as a whole. I am glad to tell my hon. Friend that the Welsh Joint Education Committee is due to have a meeting with the other bodies concerned on 25th July—

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Roberts

I am delighted that this pronouncement should receive such universal approval—or is it because my right hon. Friend the First Secretary has taken his place on the Government Front Bench? [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The Minister must complete his answer quickly.

Mr. Roberts

I was saying that the Committee will meet other bodies on 25th July, and officers of my Department will be there as observers.