HC Deb 25 November 1969 vol 792 cc175-6
4. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects his officials to complete their review of local government reorganisation in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire.

Mr. George Thomas

I hope to complete my review about the turn of the year.

Mr. Anderson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is a most reassuring Answer, in view of newspaper reports about there having been indecent haste to ensure that the report is completed within three weeks? Can he go further and say what consultation he anticipates after the report is received by him?

Mr. Thomas

When I have reported my views and proposals to the House I shall, of course, be ready, anxious and willing to talk to all authorities concerned with my proposals.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

We have been all through this once or twice before. Although I commiserate with the right hon. Gentleman in his difficulty, may I ask him to give an assurance that we will have an opportunity to debate this matter fully in the House? Will he also repeat his assurance to have further consultations, not merely with the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire local authorities, but with all Welsh local authorities which wish to have such consultation?

Mr. Thomas

I can give no such undertaking. I wish to make it perfectly clear to the House that the proposals for the remainder of Wales, outside Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, stand as we put them in the White Paper. As for the House debating the matter, that is not a matter for me. The hon. Gentleman might consider the Welsh Grand Committee for such a debate.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that the indecision of his Department in this matter is causing considerable consternation and anxiety, particularly in the County Borough of Newport? Will he now say when his original White Paper proposals will be implemented, bearing in mind that he has declared his public support for them on many occasions?

Mr. Thomas

I think my hon. Friend is a little mistaken. It is not indecision which has upset Newport, but the decision I announced which upset Newport. I assure him that it would have been wrong—[HON. MEMBERS: "Which decision?"] Patience is a virtue. The proposals will in due course be made known to the House.