HC Deb 04 February 1969 vol 777 cc189-90
10. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what expenditure he is incurring in connection with the investitute of the Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle.

Mr. Mellish

There is no alteration to the net figure of £55,000 which I gave to my hon. Friend on 22nd July last.—[Vol. 769, c. 6.]

Mr. Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this expenditure on Caernarvon Castle for the investiture will involve a considerable amount of building labour—plumbers, builders and so on—for one day's celebration? Since 35,000 people in Wales are without water closets, including 2,000 to 3,000 in Caernarvonshire, will he consider recommending that this ridiculous, absurd, mini-coronation be postponed and priority be given to people who have no sanitary accommodation?

Mr. Mellish

If he is talking about the financial aspects, and if my hon. Friend will only for once in his life do his sums right, he will find that we are going to make a great deal of money out of this expenditure.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Would the Minister not agree that while there is an argument for having no investiture and an argument for having a splendid investiture, there is no case at all for having a mean one?

Mr. Mellish indicated assent

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13. Mr. Fred Evans

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the total sum of public funds allocated through contracts for work in connection with the investiture of the Prince of Wales; and what percentage of this money has gone to contracts with firms in Wales.

Mr. Mellish

So far seven contracts have been let to a total value of just over £80,000. Five of these are to Welsh firms to a value of just over £44,000, including one to Remploy for chairs to be manufacturers by disabled persons in Welsh factories. The remaining two contracts are for specialist work for which there are no Welsh firms available. A number of other contracts are still under consideration and, wherever possible, will be given to firms in Wales.

Mr. Evans

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that information, may I asked whether he is aware that, quite apart from the question of the acceptability or otherwise of the investiture to the Welsh people, there is considerable criticism of the degree of expenditure incurred? Can he tell the House whether any further benefits may be expected to accrue to the Welsh economy from the investiture?

Mr. Mellish

I do not think that there can be any doubt that this investiture will bring a great deal of tourist trade to Wales, more probably than it has ever had. My Department, for example, is working in this matter. We will sell chairs, investiture medals, seats on the moats, etc., from which we expect not less than £100,000. This is an investiture which, apart from the arguments about whether it should be held, is something out of which the Welsh people will do extremely well, and I am delighted that it is being held.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Can the Minister give any estimate of the number of visitors who will be brought to Wales and the amount of money they will bring in as a result of the investiture?

Mr. Mellish

I cannot give numbers, except to say that those responsible, the Tourist Board and the rest are, I understand, overwhelmed with requests, from abroad in particular, for hotel accommodation and such things. They are absolutely swamped with inquiries.