Q9. Mr. Clifford Williamsasked the Prime Minister if, now that the Welsh Office is well established, he will allocate further responsibilities to this Department.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on the 11 th of December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan).—[Vol. 756, c. 50.]
Mr. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is now a local feeling, seeing that discussions on local government reorganisation have taken place, that the time has come for further duties to be allocated to the Welsh Office?
§ The Prime MinisterThese matters are kept under review all the time. Recently, I have been looking at a number of proposals for further decentralisation. Where this can be done economically, we wish to do it. However, some of the proposals, including some of those put forward by my hon. Friend, would give rise to unacceptable increases in costs and staff.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWould the Prime Minister consider increasing the powers of his right hon. Friend, since the effects of the Selective Employment Tax and the Transport Bill could be removed from Wales?
§ The Prime MinisterThat raises a rather wider set of considerations which have been fully debated in the House. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will approve of what I have said. I will continue to look at other means for further decentralisation where it does not involve an increase in the number of civil servants employed.
§ Mr. HoosonIs the Prime Minister aware that the view is widely held in the Principality that such matters as health and education should come under the Welsh Office? Does he not intend to give the Welsh Office further powers than it has at present?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have been looking at this question. I can see the case for it. On the other hand, Wales gains a great deal in respect of the services which can be provided when such matters as education and health are covered on an England and Wales basis, overall. If I thought that there was any advantage to the people of Wales by doing it, I would support it, but it is very costly.