§ 100. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the rateable values per head of the populations of Merthyr Tydfil and the proposed new county of Powys, respectively.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes
Rateable Value per head Merthyr C.B. … £23 0s. 0d. Powys … £23 6s. 9d.
§ 101. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales in what respect the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil will be unable to carry out its functions as a county borough in a way comparable with modern conditions.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesThe Local Government Commission for Wales in their report published in 1963 analysed these matters in some detail. Circumstances have not materially changed since that time and I have accepted the Commission's analysis and conclusion.
§ Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what account he took in deciding to deprive Merthyr Tydfil of its county borough status, of the extent to which the big changes now in progress in that borough would either be retarded or abandoned.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI see no reason why any of the changes in progress should be retarded or abandoned.