HC Deb 02 December 1996 vol 286 cc659-60
6. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his proposals for the government of Wales. [5213]

Mr. Hague

We believe that the interests of Wales are best served by the direct representation provided in Westminster by hon. Members in this House and a Secretary of State in the United Kingdom Cabinet.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

Does my right hon. Friend agree that by taking the Welsh Grand Committee round Wales, he is bringing the government of Wales closer to the people, whereas the Opposition's proposals for a devolved Welsh Parliament in Cardiff would lead to calls for a reduction in the number of Welsh Members of Parliament in this House, for the abolition of the post of Secretary of State for Wales, and for the differential in expenditure on the English and the Welsh people to be reduced?

Mr. Hague

My hon. Friend is right, especially when he points out the difficulties that may arise for expenditure if an assembly were established. That may be one of the reasons why the Opposition cannot match my commitment to increase health service spending in Wales over and above the rate of inflation each year of the next Parliament. Perhaps they have so many other spending plans that they cannot meet that promise, or perhaps they fear that an assembly would not be able to deliver on that promise. It is time that they told us which of those explanations is correct.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does the Secretary of State understand that the Opposition are no longer prepared to allow Wales to continue to be governed by quangos—those entirely unrepresentative bodies largely filled by Tory placemen? The sooner most of them are swept away, the better. Those that are left should be directly accountable to a Welsh Assembly.

Mr. Hague

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are clear procedures for appointing people to such bodies. I have recently announced our proposals in line with the Nolan recommendations, so that an independent element is included in the appointment of senior figures. As he also knows, all those bodies are accountable to this House, through me and my fellow Ministers. That is the way in which they should be held accountable. The hon. Gentleman's constituency is one of those that benefit most from all that has been achieved in Wales in the past few years, which I hope he will bear in mind.

Mr. Llwyd

Will the Secretary of State be prepared to meet representatives of local government soon, after he makes his Budget announcement? The 2.6 per cent. increase that has been broached is nothing like enough for local government in view of the statutory duties imposed on it, such as community care. The figure is really slightly more than 1 per cent. more, and will never provide the finance needed to run local government in Wales. Will the Secretary of State please keep an open mind when he examines the subject and meets people to discuss it?

Mr. Hague

That 2.6 per cent. increase represents £64 million of increased expenditure which the Welsh block will finance in local government in the coming year. I will certainly meet representatives of local government, and I am due to meet the Welsh consultative council on local government finance two weeks today, and will be able to hear its views.