HC Deb 13 April 1967 vol 744 cc1346-7
8. Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how soon he will consider the designation of towns in Mid-Wales, other than Newtown, Montgomeryshire, for development under the New Towns Act, 1965.

Mrs. White

Further consideration will be given in the light of the progress made by the Development Corporation with its immediate task of doubling Newtown.

Mr. Morgan

Will my hon. Friend accept that, with regard to certain other towns in Mid-Wales, the general economic structure of the area is such, the local government bodies are so weak and the traditional sources of assistance are such that, without the designation of these towns as places for special development, there can be no real progress in this connection?

Mrs. White

As my right hon. Friend made clear recently in the Welsh Grand Committee, he is fully aware of the problems of the towns referred to. We are looking especially at Rhayader but are not satisfied that designation under the New Towns Act would best meet the need.

Mr. Hooson

I hope that that reply doess not mean that, before any other town is designated in Mid-Wales, it will have to wait until the size of the new town has been doubled. Once progress has been started on a new town, is there any reason why other towns should not be designated?

Mrs. White

I hoped that I had made it clear that the problem of other towns will be actively considered and dealt with. It is a question of whether the new town procedure is necessarily the right one.