§ 4. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Wales why the intended visit of the Secretary of State for Wales to Cwmbran Urban Council on Friday 28th July has been cancelled.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI thought it right to be in the House on Friday for the discussion on the Industry Bill which is of major importance to Wales. This was explained to the Clerk to the Cwmbran Urban District Council.
§ Mr. AbseWhy does not the Secretary of State have the courage to acknow- 6 ledge that this belated excuse was proffered after the public announcement by Cwmbran Urban District Council that it did not wish him to attend? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this council, which has a long history of courtesy as anyone in Wales would expect, has been compelled to reject the idea of the Secretary of State's visit because of widespread indignation about the Industrial Relations Act and the Housing Finance Act? If the right hon. and learned Gentleman has any influence in the Cabinet will he attempt to resume diplomatic relations with Cwmbran Urban District Council by urging his right hon. and hon. Friends to suspend both these unjust Acts?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe cancellation of my visit had nothing to do with the decision taken by the Cwmbran Urban District Council to refuse to meet me because of its dislike of the Industrial Relations Act and the Housing Finance Act. My office telephoned the clerk of the council to explain my position and to suggest a meeting in London, before I heard of the council's decision. My views on the two matters referred to by the hon. Gentleman were well known to the urban district council when the original meeting was arranged. Although in the past the council has had a reputation for courtesy, in my view it did not act with the normal courtesy among local authorities in Wales. If the council wishes to have a meeting with me to discuss matters which are of importance to those who live in the area, I shall be very happy to meet it.
§ Mr. George ThomasWhile I express sympathy with the Secretary of State that the wrath of the local authorities is no longer hidden, may I ask him at what stage he realised that the Industry Bill was of significance for Wales, since he was not present during the Second Reading debate and elected not to serve on the Standing Committee—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. What has this to do with a visit to Cwmbran?
§ Mr. George ThomasThat is what I am wondering, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerIn that case we had better move on to the next Question. Mr. Elystan Morgan.
§ Mr. George ThomasOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Secretary of State gave his reason for not going to Cwmbran as being his interest in the Industry Bill. I was asking him at what stage that interest had revealed itself—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I stopped the right hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. George Thomas) only when he said that he himself wondered what a visit to Cwmbran had to do with the Industry Bill.