§ Q5. Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Prime Minister what plans he has now made for increasing the responsibilities of the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have as yet nothing to add to the Answers which I gave to Questions on this subject on 25th January.
§ Mr. EvansWill the Prime Minister now fully implement the promises which the Labour Party made in 1964 in its election programme to transfer the Welsh responsibilities of the Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Health to the Welsh Office? Is he aware that, now that the Welsh people are deciding to live as a free nation, which is the message of three by-elections, the Government have a bounden duty to develop a Welsh civil service—[Interruption.]—in readiness for self-government?—[Interruption.]
§ The Prime MinisterI missed some of those no doubt well chosen words. On the early part of the supplementary question, as I told the hon. Gentleman before, we are continuously reviewing the position of individual Departments to see whether we can get more devolution consistent with economy and efficiency, but it would not be right to do that if it were contrary to the interests of Wales or involved a big addition to staff and costs.
§ Mr. E. RowlandsWould my right hon. Friend take it from hon. Members on this side of the House that what the electors of Caerphilly said to the Government last week was that they wanted more jobs as a priority rather than administrative devolution? Would he therefore ensure that more jobs are provided to replace those in the declining coal industry?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is aware of the very great priority being given to economic recovery in Wales and, in particular, to the very sweeping new incentives which have been created, particularly in areas of colliery closures. The problem in Wales has been aggravated by the colliery closure programme. A considerable amount of new industry has been steered to Wales, which would not have been possible under the general philosophy of the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynfor Evans), but the closure of uneconomic collieries has intensified the problem.