§ 10. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether under his new responsibilities for agriculture in Wales, he will abolish the Mid-Wales Rural Development Board.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mrs. Eirene White)My right hon. Friend's new responsibilties will not affect the present statutory position, under which the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and he are jointly responsible for setting up a rural development board in Wales. No board has yet been established. We are now awaiting the report of the public inquiry into the proposals.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattIt is a little difficult to understand the dividing line between the responsibilities for agriculture of the hon. Lady's two right hon. Friends. Since in two years' time, under another Government, the Mid-Wales Rural Development Board will be got rid of, can the hon. Lady say why her right hon. Friend continues to waste public money on it?
§ Mrs. WhiteApparently this is a matter on which the hon. Gentleman cannot be convinced. We believe that the £500,000, or thereabouts, which will be injected into the area if the Board is established will be of very great benefit.