§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the Welsh Office has general authority over housing and local government in Wales, if he will arrange to transfer the functions of the Land Commission in Wales to the Welsh Office.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. The functions were given to the Land Commission by the Land Commission Act, 1967, because it was considered that they would be more appropriately discharged by an independent body, substantially exercising its own discretion and judgment, than by a department whose head was a Minister. Ministers have certain powers of giving directions to the Commission, and these are exercised by the Secretary of State for Wales in respect of any direction relating to Wales only.