HC Deb 24 January 1977 vol 924 cc947-8
13. Mr. Michael Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the dispersal of Government Departments to Cardiff and the job opportunities that would be created in South Wales as a result.

Mr. Alec Jones

The dispersal of Government Departments will bring important economic and social benefits to South Wales. This has been emphasised to me in the course of visits to several areas. I believe that opinion in Wales is strongly in favour of the policy of dispersal to which the Government remain firmly committed.

Mr. Roberts

Will the Under-Secretary of State confirm that the democratically elected councils of South-East Wales have consistently advocated the dispersal of Government Departments to that area in the interests of stimulating the economy and providing jobs? Does he accept that the political opposition comes from a tiny minority that has no standing in the area?

Mr. Alec Jones

I am quite astonished at the number of occasions today on which I am able to agree with Conservative Members. I have spoken to many of my constituents who work in organisations that were dispersed under various Governments and they have expressed nothing but complete satisfaction and pleasure to me and the hope that the system will continue. I confirm that the local authorities in the area are appreciative of dispersal policies.

Mr. Grist

Does the Minister agree that the abrupt removal of the regional employment premium, which will cost Cardiff firms about £3 million a year, will make it all the more essential that the new jobs in the Ministry of Defence should come to Cardiff as originally planned?

Mr. Alec Jones

Whatever may happen to REP or any other form of regional aid, I think it is for the benefit of the United Kingdom as a whole, and especially for development areas such as Wales, that we continue with our dispersal policies.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Does my hon. Friend realise that although there are those on the Labour Benches who would like to see cut-backs in defence expenditure, there is very little support in Wales for a separate Welsh Army, a separate Welsh Navy and a separate Welsh Air Force, which is the policy of Plaid Cymru?

Mr. Alec Jones

In general terms I agree with my hon. Friend, but I suggest that there are three nationalist Members of Parliament who in a separate Wales would he three prospective heads for the armed forces of Wales.