HC Deb 01 July 1969 vol 786 cc210-1
2. Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a further statement on the explosions in Wales.

Mrs. Hart

I have been asked to reply.

Everyone will feel the deepest concern about the recent wholly deplorable and tragic incidents. I understand that three men have been charged as a result of the incident at Holyhead on 25th June and that the police are actively pursuing their investigations into the explosions in Cardiff on 30th June and in Abergele early this morning. I cannot properly say more at this stage.

Mr. Evans

May I express my sense of shock at the horrifying tragedy last night, and may I ask the right hon. Lady whether she is aware that no solid piece of evidence has yet been produced to show that these explosions, which we all condemn, are the work of anybody connected with the Welsh Nationalist movement? If it should come to light that they are the work of, say, anarchists, or people who are not Welsh, will members of the Government apologise to the Welsh people for the way they have exploited them in order to prevent the advance of the Welsh nation towards national freedom?

Mrs. Hart

I think that the whole House will rather regret the tone of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I accept what the hon. Gentleman says on his own behalf, but one is bound to observe what the party's organiser in South Wales was quoted as saying as recently as last weekend. I think that the whole House will wish to be concerned to express every possible sympathy with the people of Wales for the tragic events which have occurred during the last 24 hours, and we should be concerned to ensure that there is no element whatsoever of the Welsh nation which is prepared to express any degree of support for the events which have taken place.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that the Welsh people, in overwhelming numbers, deplore these senseless attacks of violence which are doing much harm to the future prosperity of Wales?

Mrs. Hart

I am sure that that expresses the general feeling of the House.

Mr. Ian Lloyd

May I ask the right hon. Lady whether she considers that what the House should be concerning itself with this afternoon—tragic though this morning's incident was—is the explosion of admiration and affection which the whole British people have for the young Prince whom Her Majesty is to present to the people of these islands and the Commonwealth?

Mrs. Hart

I think that we all wish to associate ourselves this afternoon with the admiration which has been expressed for the courage and dignity of the young man who is at the centre of all these events.