§ 7. Mr. Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire)What representations he has received regarding the decision to merge the Development Board for Rural Wales with the Welsh Development Agency.[38005]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ron Davies)I have received a large number of representations from hon. Members, organisations in mid-Wales and members of staff of the agencies, all of which underline the importance of the new agency's role in developing the rural economy. I give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that the task of developing the rural economy will be a priority for the new organisation.
§ Mr. LansleyIf the Secretary of State is so enthusiastic about devolution and an assembly for Wales, why has he decided to wind up the Development Board for Rural Wales, rather than give the assembly the opportunity to decide whether the DBRW should have a continuing role—given that there is every reason to have a body that is devoted to the particular and often acute needs of rural Wales?
§ Mr. DaviesThe hon. Gentleman will understand that it was the people of Wales on 18 September who endorsed these plans. We spelled out our proposals for the merger of the Welsh Development Agency and the DBRW when we put those plans to the people in the referendum. The hon. Gentleman will recall that the House of Commons gave overwhelming support on Second Reading to the Bill that makes provision for the merger, and he will know that his party gave those plans tacit approval when it abstained on the Third Reading vote a couple of weeks ago.
I remind the hon. Gentleman of the debate last night in the other place, which gave the Bill an unopposed Second Reading. The report of that debate shows that there is broad support, across all the parties, for an essential programme that will be vital to the Government's task of modernising the British constitution.
§ Mr. Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire)Does the right hon. Gentleman acknowledge that my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Mr. Öpik)— who is making a good recovery following his accident—and I are very concerned that only one member of DBRW staff has been appointed to the powerhouse agency? It looks as though rural affairs will be dominated by Cardiff. Will he assure me that the expertise of more members will be used?
§ Mr. DaviesI have sent a card, on behalf of all at the Welsh Office, to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire, and I look forward to his early return to Parliament. It was typical of the hon. Gentleman that he should spend his Easter in the daring way that resulted in his accident. I hope that he will be back with us shortly.
I assure the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Mr. Livsey) that there will be a rural policy unit within the powerhouse agency, and that it will be based in the old DBRW area. I have no intention of allowing the new agency to ignore its responsibility for driving forward the rural economy. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the rural policy unit will be not only based in the old DBRW area but staffed by people who understand the problems of the area. The unit will play a crucial role in influencing the attitude of the whole of the new powerhouse agency, bringing economic prosperity throughout Wales.