§ Mr. George ThomasOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I seek your ruling on a matter arising out of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Questions yesterday, at col. 996? The Secretary of State for Wales was answering my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Probert) and said clearly in the hearing of the House that part of the population of the proposed new town at Llantrisant would come from the valley communities. There followed a number of supplementary questions from this side of the House. Unfortunately, the OFFICIAL REPORT has omitted that part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply.
While we are all deeply grateful to the Official Reporters for the care with which they report our sayings in the House, I 1176 hope that some correction will be possible in this case.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Neither I nor any of my officials sought to alter the OFFICIAL REPORT in this respect. My recollection of the exact words which I used is not certain, but, to the best of my recollection, the OFFICIAL REPORT reflects what I said. My intention emerges clearly from the report, which was to stress the benefit which the new town of Llantrisant would give to the valley communities. I believe that the words "the fact that" may have been added to the report, but apart from that, according to my recollection, Mr. Speaker, the OFFICIAL REPORT accurately reflects what I said.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have been in consultation with the Editor of the OFFICIAL REPORT regarding this matter. There was a certain amount of noise after the Secretary of State's reply, and I think it probable that the words should read:
…and also from the valley communities, which should benefit greatly from industry on this ideal site at Llantrisant".The bound volume of the OFFICIAL REPORT will be correspondingly amended. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. George Thomas) for raising the matter.