§ 2. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from industrial organisations in Wales concerning the abnormal load duty proposed in Schedule 12 of the Transport Bill; and what reply he has sent.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mrs. Eirene White)My right hon. Friend has not received such representations.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThat greatly surprises me, because I have received a great number. Will not the Transport Bill do a great deal of harm and raise industrial costs and therefore raise the cost of living of all the people in Wales? Is not the main point of having a Secretary of State for Wales in the Cabinet that legislation which will have obnoxious effects on Wales can be blocked?
§ Mrs. WhiteAny representations which may have been made would have been made to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. She has already made it clear that in Committee on the Transport Bill she may be willing to consider possible ameliorations in her regulations for the development areas.