HC Deb 29 March 1971 vol 814 cc1146-7
32. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further plans he has for the improvement of the infrastructure facilities in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The Government's objective is to improve infrastructure in the older industrial areas. The term covers a wide range of services including roads, housing, land reclamation, on all of which the Government will pursue vigorous policies.

Mr. Gower

Is my right hon. and Learned Friend aware that there is a great deal of evidence that the greatest need for infrastructure in some parts of Wales is still the improvement of our mad communications? Will he give some heavy weight to this consideration?

Mr. Thomas

I agree, and very heavy weight is being given to the improvement of roads.

Mr. Kinnock

As the Secretary of State says that heavy weight is being given to the provision of infrastructure, will he not accept that we on this side of the House and the people in Wales find that difficult to believe? Is he not aware that in the first two months of this year, according to the Department of Employment, 3,695 redundancies were notified in Wales alone? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman lend extra weight, if possible, to the provision of new jobs in Wales?

Mr. Peter Thomas

If the hon. Gentleman finds it hard to believe that great emphasis is put on our infrastructure in Wales, it shows that he has not read the figures published or listened to the answers that I have given.

Mr. McBride

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman say, in the matter of land dereliction, that the Lower Swansea Valley project, in Swansea, will now be financed out of the special projects pool?

Mr. Peter Thomas

No, I cannot say that without notice. If the hon. Gentleman would like to get in touch with me, I will certainly give him an answer.

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