HC Deb 28 February 1977 vol 927 cc5-6
4. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether there has been any change in his policy as regards receiving deputations from local authorities in Wales.

Mr. Alec Jones

No. Subject to limitations of time and parliamentary pressure we are always ready to receive deputations from local authorities, provided they seem likely to serve a useful purpose.

Sir A. Meyer

Does the Minister recall the refusal of his Department to receive a deputation from the Delyn Borough Council to make representations on the consequences of recent flooding? Does he further recall the refusal of his right hon. and learned Friend to receive a deputation from Rhuddlan Borough Council in order to consult him on the financing of essential investment policy in the Rhyl tourist industry? Does he not think that these repeated refusals represent a regrettable departure from the precedent set by previous distinguished holders of his right hon. and learned Friend's office and that they give an impression of being uncaring, bureaucratic and remote?

Mr. Alec Jones

On the latter subject, the hon. Member knows that I spoke to him and met him to discuss the financing of the Rhyl leisure centre and that the council was given full advice from the Welsh Office before making its decision to proceed in the way in which it wanted with this development. As for the refusal to see Delyn Borough Council about aid towards flooding on Deeside, my right hon. and learned Friend told the council that the responsibility for preparing remedial works lay with it and that the Minister responsible for approving and grant-aiding such schemes was the Minister of Agriculture. Therefore, no useful purpose would be served by meeting such a deputation, although officials from my office were prepared at all times to give the necessary advice.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

In view of the Secretary of State's responsibility for the Welsh National Water Development Authority, which carries out the drainage schemes that are necessary when flooding occurs, surely he has a responsibility here.

Mr. Alec Jones

No, it is not fair to say that my right hon. and learned Friend is responsible for the details of these schemes, because the two schemes are not exactly similar. The flooding at Llandudno Junction arose from a main river and was the direct responsibility of the Welsh National Water Development Authority. It is because of that responsibility that the meeting was called at which the scheme has now been developed and drawn up.