HC Deb 10 May 1976 vol 911 cc11-3
9. Mr. Nicholas Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will name and list in the Official Report the principal existing financial provisions from which finance for the proposed Development Board for Rural Wales will be transferred, together with the amounts involved.

Mr. Alec Jones

I refer the hon. Gentleman to Clause 10 of the Bill and to its Explanatory and Financial Memorandum. I anticipate that the board will be principally funded from financial pro- visions for relevant activities of existing organisations in the area.

Mr. Edwards

Will the Minister confirm that under the Bill no additional funds are being provided for mid-Wales? Over how long a period will the £25 million be expected to last that is referred to in the papers he has mentioned? What are the main areas for expenditure?

Mr. Alec Jones

I think that the hon. Gentleman is anticipating the Second Reading debate on the Bill. I assure him that we shall be making a full statement about the functions of the board at an appropriate stage during the consideration of the Bill. We are anxious to ensure at the outset that the Board shall have funds commensurate with its functions

Mr. Roderick

Although the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Edwards) failed to give the Bill a welcome, I can tell my hon. Friend that there is an overwhelming welcome for it in my constituency. We look forward to its speedy implementation.

Mr. Alec Jones

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. The views that he has expressed are the views that have come to me through most of the consultations that he have had

Mr. Hooson

Many people in Mid-Wales welcome the Bill, but the Minister has not answered the question about funding. Is it not right that most of the funds will nowadays be administered in a different way, by different bodies? Is any additional sum to be contributed for the purpose of the Development Board for Rural Wales in Mid-Wales?

Mr. Alec Jones

We have published the Bill, and if the hon. and learned Gentleman had read Clause 10 he would have seen that it says specifically that the financial allocation of £25 million may be increased, subject to order, to £40 million. I invite the hon. and learned Gentleman to read Clause 10, as it explains in detail the point he has raised.

11. Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning his consultative paper on the Development Board for Rural Wales; and what reply he has given.

Mr. Alec Jones

Representations were received from 68 bodies and 10 meetings were held. In general, the Government's proposals have been given a wide measure of support.

Mr. Roberts

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the criticism that there is an overlap of functions between the board, the local authorities and the Welsh Development Agency? Will he take this opportunity of making it clear exactly what the board could do that the agency could not do?

Mr. Alec Jones

Yes, this criticism has been made. I think that when we met the various bodies concerned we were able to satisfy them that there need be no conflict between the agency and the board. We see the board principally concerning itself with industrial development and the associated infrastructure problems in that area of Wales

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Has the hon. Gentleman received representations about the fact that the board will have no power to intervene in the primary trade and industry in rural Wales, and that it will have no power to intervene in extractive industry or to aid agriculture?

Mr. Alec Jones

I confirm—this was clearly set out in the consultative document—that the board will not have powers to intervene in agriculture industries. That is because we believe that such decisions affecting agriculture must be within the framework of the common agricultural policy and the EEC's rules on national aid.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we welcome that statement? Is he prepared to write into the Bill clauses that clarify the matter? At present the Bill does not exclude agriculture in any way.

Mr. Alec Jones

I am prepared to listen to and consider any amendment the hon. Gentleman may care to table. However, I wish he had spent a little more time on his homework and less time on the mischief-making in which he took part in the Western Mail last Saturday

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