§ 27. Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what studies are being made by the Welsh Office into the extension of its responsibilities if and when Great Britain enters the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas:All the implications of membership of the Community are naturally being considered by my office.
§ Mr. Jones:That is a welcome change. Apart from making studies on greater devolution and more democratic control over the various boards and the Welsh Office, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman undertake, in view of his answers in the last three-quarters of an hour, to give a specific assurance that there will be a study into the responsibilities of the Welsh Office at the present time, as it is clear that he is not aware what he should do regarding the interests of Wales, as on industrial development, what is happening regarding council house rents and house building and the whole spectrum of what is happening in the Principality?
§ Mr. Thomas:I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Welsh Office will play its full part in grasping the new opportunities which membership of the Community will bring to the Principality.