HC Deb 28 March 1968 vol 761 cc1721-3
Q5. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Wales and the President of the Board of Trade in connection with the working of the Welsh Rural Development Board; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is now considerable opposition in Mid-Wales to this nominated board with compulsory powers? Will he therefore do away with it? Will he look at the terms of reference given to the committee of inquiry which is to sit on 8th April?

The Prime Minister

On the information given to me by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, the gloomy account given by the hon. Member does not seem to be borne out. This is regarded as a very important step forward in Wales. It is very long overdue and I am sorry that the hon. Member did not have a chance to vote for it years ago. As to the inquiry, I will bring to the attention of my right hon. Friend what the hon. Member has said.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Does my right hon. Friend agree that many people in Mid-Wales have withstood the temptation to make a miserable political issue out of this matter and that they welcome it as a first attempt to inject substantial capital into a debilitated economy?

The Prime Minister

I think my hon. Friend's question shows much more realism than the question asked by the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Gibson-Watt).

Later—

Mr. Speaker

I should like to apologise to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynfor Evans) for failing to see that he was trying to catch my eye on a very Welsh question.

Mr. McNamara

On a point of order. Arising from your last comment, Mr. Speaker, am I to take it that the same apology is extended to all English Members when they fail to catch your eye on English Questions?

Mr. Speaker

I can assure the hon. Member that I apologise to all hon. Members from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland if they fail to catch my eye.

Mr. Tinn

Further to that point of order. May I ask whether that apology means that special preference is granted to the hon. Member for Carmarthen over other Welsh Members?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member should know that one of the tasks of Mr. Speaker is to protect minorities.