§ 8. Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will announce what further plans he has to assist the development of growth towns in Mid-Wales; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI am aware of the financial difficulties to which the expansion of these towns gives rise. I am therefore looking into what might be done to widen the application of grant for basic services.
§ Mr. EdwardsWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman not agree that if he shares the confidence of the Prime Minister in the upturn of the economy the best way to show that confidence is to build houses and new factories in these developing towns so that when the boom comes, if it comes, we will be able to accommodate some part of it in Mid-Wales?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI would basically agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said. That is what the Government's policy is in Mid-Wales.
§ Mr. HoosonDoes the Secretary of State recollect that last year he promised the Montgomeryshire County Council that he would be making a major statement on policy for Mid-Wales? That statement has still to be made. Is he aware that some people in these growth towns are becoming very despondent about the nature and degree of help they can expect from the Government?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI have made statements from time to time. I made a statement in the Welsh Grand Committee about Mid-Wales. I have told the House that we are considering what extra help could be given to assist Mid-Wales.