§ 5. Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the functioning of the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasYes.
§ Mr. JohnDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman not think that one of the aspects of the Welsh Office at which he ought to look urgently is the provision of parliamentary time for the discharge of the functions of the Welsh Office? Does he not agree that, welcome though his appearance on television recently was, if only to prove to the people of Wales that he is still alive, the correct place to make an important statement about Welsh water is in the House of Commons, and orally, so that he may submit himself to examination by Members of Parliament?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe hon. Gentleman should know that I submit myself to examination by the Opposition much more frequently than my predecessor did. There have been many more Questions in this House, we have had morn debates and we have had more Welsh Grand Committees since I have been Secretary of State than in any comparable period beforehand. As to the other part of the hon. Gentleman's statement, 1091 I have in my period as Secretary of State had 174 official engagements in Wales.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe Secretary of State need not get so excited. Will he bear in mind that it is a grievous injury to Wales that the Welsh Office is unable even to represent the interests of Wales in a Standing Committee of the House when fair rents are being considered, because although the English Minister has no responsibility at all for housing and rents in Wales, there is not one Minister from the Welsh Office defending Welsh interests on that Committee?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasWe are satisfied that my hon. and right hon. Friends will defend Welsh interests in the same way as they would defend United Kingdom interests. There is no issue between us on this matter.