Oil Shortages (Structure Plans) (Hansard, 16 July 1979)

§ 14. Mr. Anderson
asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will issue a circular to local authorities in Wales about the need to revise structure plans in the light of oil shortages.

§ Mr. Michael Roberts
My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

§ Mr. Anderson
Has the hon. Gentleman seen the recent memorandum of the Transport Users Consultative Committee for Wales about the implications for county structure plans of the oil crisis? Does he accept its conclusions that availability of public transport should be increased at a reasonable cost, that in any future oil crisis major significance should be given to electrification of rail passenger services and that the provision of rail connected industrial sites should be a major priority?

§ Mr. Michael Roberts
The planning authorities which submit the structure plans to the Welsh Office are aware of the need to plan with a view to achieving fuel economy. If there is a change—as there has been because of the oil shortage—there are procedures by which they can modify the plans submitted, and alter those that have been accepted.

§ Mr. Alan Williams
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you give guidance to Welsh Members—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Would the right hon. Gentleman wait until the end of questions before raising a point of order?

§ Mr. Alan Williams
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. In answer to question No. 13, the Secretary of State for Wales said, understandably, that he could not give a substantive answer about the impact of the regional review of Wales because there is to be a statement tomorrow afternoon. We accept that priority. Nevertheless, Welsh Members now face the predicament that there will be no opportunity to question the Secretary of State for more than four months. The Welsh Grand Committee meeting on Wednesday was due to be devoted to the work of the Welsh water authority. However, as the Leader of the House is present, I wonder whether it would be appropriate to ask him to change the subject—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Question Time is over.