§ 25. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales what further meetings he proposes to have with Trades Union Congress representatives in South Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI met the South Wales Advisory Committee of the T.U.C. last week.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the Secretary of State aware that all Cardiff is aware of the abortive nature of that meeting? Will he have periodic meetings with the Trades Union Congress representatives to remove the shadow of redundancy which is hanging over Wales and tell them speedily of any large projects going to Wales which will provide employment and, more important, opportunities for school leavers? Will he also tell us—I put this deliberately—how many firms have refused to go to Wales because of the inhibiting financial policies of the Government?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI shall always be pleased to consider any future requests for meetings with the Advisory Committee of the T.U.C.
On the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I certainly could not give an answer without notice.
§ Mr. George ThomasIs the Secretary of State aware that the T.U.C. Regional Advisory Committee members who met him were very disappointed that he had nothing constructive to say to them? Will he tell the House how high unemployment in Wales must rise before he will meet these people with constructive proposals?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI do not know where the right hon. Gentleman gets the impression that they were disappointed. They certainly did not express disappointment to me. In fact, at the end of what I considered to be a very useful meeting, at which we had a general and full dis-discussion, they expressed their thanks to me.