Mid-Wales

HC Deb 29 July 1974 vol 878 cc18-9

14. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will extend the remit of the Mid Wales Development Corporation to cover other towns in the Mid-Wales area.

Mr. John Morris

I am considering very carefully what arrangements are needed to bring about an acceleration of development in rural Wales. The rôle of the Mid Wales Development Corporation is one of the things I am looking at.

Mr. Hooson

Is it not true that the Mid Wales Development Corporation has acquired a good deal of expertise, that its remit could be extended without the need for an Act of Parliament and that this would facilitate a growth towns policy, on which the right hon. and learned Gentleman was such a critic of the previous Government when they did nothing to implement it? Does he realise that this policy could be implemented by extending the remit to other towns?

Mr. Morris

I pay full tribute to the hon. and learned Member for the longstanding interest he has taken in this matter, an interest which I have shared. The rôle of the development corporation is obviously a very important factor in the consideration of our policy for Mid-Wales. I have been in office for four months. I would ask for patience. I need a little more time before I can bring forward proposals which I hope will be acceptable, comprehensive and efficient.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Is it not a waste of time to extend the remit of the development corporation if at the same time the Government vote down efforts to improve rural bus services—assisted in doing so by the Liberal Party, who made asses of themselves on Friday by voting for the Government in one Lobby and then rushing across and voting for the motion in the other Lobby?

Mr. Morris

The hon. Member has of course for his own purposes misinterpreted Friday's events. No one has shown greater concern for rural transport than my right hon. Friend and myself when I was in the Ministry of Transport. We want further time to consider the implications of all the proposals that have been canvassed.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

In his reconsideration of the Mid-Wales growth town policy, will the Secretary of State re-examine the selection of growth towns by the Welsh Council? In its studies will the council look again particularly at the position of older towns such as Blaenau Ffestiniog? Is there not a need for machinery to develop the area on a broad basis, with not only industrial development but housing need borne in mind?

Mr. Morris

The hon. Gentleman will be aware of my great concern for Blaenau Ffestiniog from the moment I took office and of the concern of my hon. Friends. The hon. Gentleman is right. One should take a broad view of all the areas in rural Wales, Mid-Wales and North Wales that need help. I shall take all these factors into consideration before bringing forward my proposals.