HC Deb 17 October 1968 vol 770 cc147-8W
2. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many additional civil servants are employed by his Department in connection with the investiture of the Prince of Wales; what is the total annual cost of their employment; and if this sum is included in the total estimate of £200,000 for the investiture.

Mr. George Thomas

Four, at an approximate cost of £7,000. This sum was not included in the items of expenditure referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 8th July.—[Vol. 768, c.26.]

3. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an assurance that any public money saved or profits made from the Investiture of the Prince of Wales will be directed to amenity improvements in Aberfan and other areas hit by mine closures.

Mr. George Thomas

No. Receipts will be taken into account in the normal way as appropriations in aid and set against the expenditure of my Department.

4. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the names of the political parties which will be invited on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to send representatives to the Investiture of the Prince of Wales; and how many seats have been allocated for this purpose.

Mr. George Thomas

As it is intended to invite representatives of both Houses of Parliament to attend the Investiture Ceremony, the various political parties will be adequately represented.

Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what invitations to be present at the investiture of the Prince of Wales are to be sent on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to representative English bodies and Members of Parliament without special ties with the Principality.

Mr. George Thomas

It has been agreed that the Investiture will be primarily a Welsh occasion and most of the seats available inside the Castle will be allocated to representatives of various aspects of Welsn national life. There will however, be a small allocation to Ambassadors, High Commissioners, representatives of other parts of the United Kingdom and representatives of both Houses of Parliament.

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