HC Deb 02 July 1973 vol 859 cc12-3
14. Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish the headquarters of the Welsh National Water Authority in one of the towns of Mid-Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. And learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Hooson) on 21st February 1972. I hope to make an announcement shortly.—[Vol. 831, c. 192].

Mr. Roderick

Does not the Secretary of State agree that, as this area supplies so much of the water needed by the country, it would be only fair to establish the headquarters there? Does he not agree that that would be a contribution towards the growth towns policy—something that is long overdue from his Department in the past three years?

Mr. Thomas

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I have been considering all the relevant factors and that the claims of Mid-Wales will be taken fully into account.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Whether or not they are taken into account, the net result is that there have been no dispersal jobs from central Government to Mid-Wales during the last three years and that there is no dispersal planned in the foreseeable future. Is the Secretary of State willing to fight manfully in the Cabinet to put right this wrong?

Mr. Thomas

Any decision made will be one which I shall make alone. I shall not require the consent of my Cabinet colleagues.