HC Deb 13 April 1967 vol 744 cc1350-1
17. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of progress made in reinstating the properties of people at present in residence in the Brynglas area of Newport which were affected by subsidence as a result of tunnelling work in connection with the M4 roadworks.

Mr. Ifor Davies

Efforts to determine liability for reinstating these properties are continuing. My right hon. Friend is arranging a meeting with the contractors and their insurance assessors shortly, in order to reach a decision.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Under-Secretary at last appreciate the hardship that these people have been caused and that a pleasant neighbourhood is being turned into a slum area? Will he, further, take steps to reinstate these properties at the earliest possible date and discontinue passing the buck from his Department to the principal contractors?

Mr. Davies

I cannot accept the charge of passing the buck. My hon. Friend has seen me, and I will readily see him again, but the responsibility is not easy to determine. We are pressing ahead as quickly as we can and we hope to meet the other parties concerned very shortly. I will gladly meet my hon. Friend again if he has a particular case to press.