§ 7. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present level of financial aid given to Wales from the EEC funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI regard the commitment of nearly £1 billion in identifiable European aid since accession as a very valuable contribution to the development of the Principality. My Department will continue to take every opportunity to ensure that Wales continues to derive the maximum benefit from the available Community aids.
§ Mr. HowellsI thank the Secretary of State for that reply. However, does he agree that if Wales is to survive and grow power must be devolved from Westminster to Wales, and that Wales must remain a member of the EEC?
§ Mr. EdwardsI entirely share the hon. Gentleman's view on membership of the EEC. As regards devolution, we probably have different views on the method to be adopted. It is clear that under this Government there has been a further extension of responsibilities to the Welsh Office, including the major responsibility for local government. That is the way forward. It is certainly the way chosen by the people of Wales by an overwhelming majority in the referendum.
§ Mr. WigleyAs only £276,000 of the recent £15 million regional development grant package for Wales was allocated to Gwynedd, will the Secretary of State say why Gwynedd is missing out on these funds? Is it because Gwynedd is not submitting suitable applications, or is it because the Welsh Office is turning them down?
§ Mr. EdwardsI have not looked at Gwynedd, but I have had the same sort of complaint from other counties. In the cases that I have looked at the counties have not put forward sufficient projects, or projects of the right quality. I emphasise the desirability of counties examining the possibilities that are open to them. The Welsh Office will give them every possible encouragement in preparing schemes in the best possible way. If applications to the Commission are likely to succeed, we shall put them forward.