HC Deb 28 November 1968 vol 774 cc700-1
13. Mr. Abse

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement concerning the future population target of Cwmbran New Town; and whether he will take steps to restructure the Development Corporation and existing amenity plans to meet the needs caused by an expansion of the new town.

14. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce his conclusions on the new target population figure and the next steps towards elected local government for Cwmbran New Town.

Mr. George Thomas

I have decided to ask the Corporation to continue its building activities within the limits of the present designated area. I have decided also that it is desirable that the Corporation should include more members with current experience in local government in the area, and I propose to reconstruct it accordingly within the next few months.

Mr. Abse

I thank the Secretary of State for having, as his Answer reveals, so sensitively responded to the representations of myself, my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Anderson) and the Cwmbran Council. Could he tell us a little more about the amenity plans to meet the needs of any expansion since clearly, if Cwmbran is to expand, it is urgently necessary that within the limits of the present economic position there should be greater amenities for the people of the new town?

Mr. Thomas

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend, who, with my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth, has made strong representations to me on this matter. Amenities are very important. I am now reviewing the matter and there will be further discussions with the authorities concerned, although clearly I know now that I shall not be able to give as much as I should like to give until the economic circumstances are better.

Mr. Anderson

Will my right hon. Friend, who has responded with his usual sympathy to local feeling on this matter, recognise that local people will see this only as a significant interim step on the way to eventual full local self-government in the Cwmbran area?

Mr. Thomas

My hon. Friend is a fellow Methodist and I remind him of the hymn: One step enough for me".