§ 9. Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received any further representations from the Rhuddlan Borough Council on the consequences for Rhyl and district of exclusion from the Welsh Development Area.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo, Sir, not directly, but Clwyd County Council has made representations in respect of that part of the county outside the development area.
§ Sir A. MeyerIs the Secretary of State aware of the growing feeling of despair in Rhyl at prospects for the coming winter and at his apparent intention to wash his hands of the future of the area? However, will he take this opportunity 14 to do something helpful and persuade his colleagues at the Department of Employment to tell the industrial tribunal to get on with the hearings of the industrial dispute which is holding up construction of the Sun Centre at Rhyl?
§ Mr. MorrisThat is not a matter for me, but I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. As for any question of my washing my hands of the affairs of Rhyl, I do not think that that statement can be substantiated by evidence. I am deeply concerned about unemployment wherever it exists. The Government have taken measures—for example, job creation schemes and temporary employment and youth employment subsidies—which have either saved or created about 500 jobs in Rhyl.
May I seek the help of the hon. Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer) in regard to a matter to which I referred on 23rd May? I then instanced the lack of communication between the Rhuddlan Borough Council and my Department in reply to a letter which we sent in December on the subject of the leisure centre and promenade project. I said in May that we were still awaiting a reply. That is an indication of my concern. We are still in the same position, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman can help me.