§ 18. Mr. Probertasked the Secretary of State for Wales what capital sums will be involved in the development of the new town at Llantrisant.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe total public and private investment is expected to be about £300 million.
§ Mr. ProbertI am sure the whole House will agree that that is a fantastic sum. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us where the people are expected to come from to fill this new town? Would not it be better to invest only a slight fraction of this tremendous sum to bring new industry to existing communities, since that would result in no waste of existing social capital?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe population is expected to come from the natural growth, from the fact that the proposal may help stop migration, and also from the valley communities which should benefit greatly from industry on this ideal site at Llantrisant. The new industry in that area should have the effect of stimulating growth generally throughout the whole of South-East Wales.
§ Mr. Alec JonesIf the right hon. and learned Gentleman is correct when he says that he expects that some of the population will no doubt come from the valley communities, how can this proposal be said to be of any help to those valley communities? Is it not dishonest to talk of a development at Llantrisant in this way, since it must mean the death 997 knell for many of the valley communities of South Wales?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe hon. Gentleman must not exaggerate. It is wrong to use expressions such as that. Many people who might otherwise leave the valley communities might be persuaded to remain there. The travel to work from the valley communities to Llantrisant is reasonably good. Llantrisant is an ideal site for growth. It is an area which will grow in any event, and it is expected that growth in that area will stimulate further growth in othes parts of South Wales.
§ Mr. George ThomasIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that these valley communities have an enormous pride in their communities and in their own culture? If he spent £20 million on refurbishing these valleys, he would do a great deal more to protect Welsh life than his present proposal will.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI am fully aware of the importance of the valley communities, and that is why there is considerable concentration on making them better places in which to live.
§ Mr. ProbertOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of those replies, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.