§ 8. Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress made by his economic development plan, Wales: The Way Ahead published in July 1967; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesYes. I am satisfied that good progress is being made in implementing the policies set out in "Wales: The Way Ahead". This progress may be seen from the Annual Report for 1967, and more recent examples are the announcements about new industrial development, the appointment of a consultant for Llantrisant and the addition to the preparation pool of the new Gabalfa to Bridgend Road.
§ Mr. EvansIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the economic history of Wales last year was one of almost continuous decline, with 22,100 less at work in service and manufacturing industries, with only 125 men at work in the advance factories built by the Board of Trade since 1964, and with only five redundant miners retrained?
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI am sorry that the hon. Gentleman should constantly denigrate what has been done in Wales. Enormous progress has been made over the past three years, and I am satisfied that it will continue to be made. It gives me some satisfaction that, in his Question, the hon. Gentleman refers to the White Paper as an "economic development plan". That shows that he is making some progress.
§ Mr. HefferWould not my right hon. Friend agree that if the hon. Gentleman's 1590 friends would stop scrawling slogans on walls such as, "Go home, English", it would help the development of good relations between the Welsh and English people and attract more tourists?
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe relationships between the people of Wales and those of England are among the best in the world. The House will bear in mind that it is the oldest partnership in the world.