§ 5. Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the local authorities in Wales which have indicated to him that they favour the holding of a referendum on the issue of devolution.
§ Mr. John MorrisSince the publication of the White Paper, the county councils of Mid-Glamorgan and West Glamorgan, the borough councils of Arfon, Blaenau Gwent, Swansea and Taff-Ely, the district councils of Aberconwy, Montgomery and South Pembrokeshire, and the Cefn Community Council have so indicated.
§ Mr. AndersonOn Thursday the Swansea Labour Association, with 91 delegates, representing 15,000 people, voted unanimously in favour of a referendum. I understand that seven of the eight county councils, the bulk of the district councils, and Welsh public opinion, as represented by opinion polls, are in favour. What more can the Welsh people reasonably do before the Government heed this overwhelming demand?
§ Mr. MorrisI have set out the names of those from whom I have received representations. There are a number of motivations behind the request for a referendum. There are those who are opposed to devolution, as I have already stated, and those who feel that we do not go far enough; there are also those who are dissatisfied with the present structure of local government and want a change. There is a host of motivations.
§ Mr. Gwynfor EvansIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the referendum would be acceptable if all the options were open, including Plaid Cymru's ultimate policy, which is national freedom—full national status within the partnership of free and equal nations in these islands?
§ Mr. MorrisThe hon. Gentleman is right to call for an indication of the degree of support in Wales for separatism. That has been rejected at every General Election as far as I can remember, and it commands only between 10 per cent, and 11 per cent. of the total vote.