§ 4. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the introduction of new industry to the Lleyn Peninsula, Caernarvonshire; and, in particular, if he will make a statement on the prospects of siting the next nuclear energy generating station in Edern, Caernarvonshire.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the White Paper on Investment Incentives, Cmnd. 4516, and to the statement made on 27th October by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Department of Trade and Industry will do everying possible to draw the attention of industry to this area. The choice of site for power stations, including nuclear energy power stations, is primarily a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board.—[Vol. 805, c. 37–75.]
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman reconsider his answer since what the Chancellor has said and published strikes a most dispiriting note, and we in Caernarvonshire are particularly alarmed that the special inducements to persuade new industry to come into areas like the Lleyn Peninsula, which were on the point of succeeding under the last Government, are now to be jettisoned?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. The inducements are considerable. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware of the increased inducements under the Local Employment Act and of the inclusion of service 640 industries. I am fully aware of the difficulties in the Lleyn Peninsula. With his experience of Government, the right hon. Gentleman will know of the difficulties in attracting industries to the area.
§ Mr. LaneWill my right hon. and learned Friend keep in mind that some of us who are admirers of the great natural beauty of that peninsula hope that he will be able to assist development without the necessity of a nuclear power station?