HC Deb 19 January 1970 vol 794 cc6-7
8. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now state when he intends to publish his new proposals on the reorganisation of local government in Glamorgan and Monmouth.

Mr. George Thomas

Within the next few weeks, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that some of us wish that he would not produce any new proposals at all, because we very much resent being tied to the English bandwagon in this matter, particularly so because there is now nearly 100 per cent. agreement on the most practical proposals produced by his Department in July, 1967?

Mr. Thomas

I was not unaware of my hon. Friend's feelings, but I must tell him that I shall announce my proposals within the next few weeks.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

When the right hon. Gentleman spoke in the Welsh Grand Committee not long ago, he said that he was changing the name of Monmouth to Gwent. When does the right hon. Gentleman intend to do this? It is a little difficult for those living in Monmouth to know which to call themselves?

Mr. Thomas

I have not noticed that difficulty, and I am there as often, if not more often, than the hon. Gentleman is. When the proposals for local government reform are advanced, the hon. Gentleman will find that this change takes place.