HC Deb 02 December 1953 vol 521 c145W
Mr. Llewellyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the anxiety of farmers throughout the Vale of Glamorgan by the threatened industrialisation of the Leys; of the difficulty which Glamorgan farmers are having in getting suitable labour, and of the aggravation of this difficulty which this industrialisation now involves; and what action he is taking.

Sir T. Dugdale

The number of agricultural workers in Glamorgan is about 10 per cent, higher than it was in 1939 and with the continued progress of farm mechanisation the existing labour force is, on the whole, adequate. Any serious decline in the number of workers, however, would handicap the drive to increase agricultural output.

I understand that the British Electricity Authority are considering a proposal for a power station in the Aberthaw area of Glamorgan, but I have no details of the proposal at present. If the Authority wish to proceed with the proposal they will apply to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, who consults me when considering these applications in order to ensure that full weight is given to agricultural considerations in the final selection of the site.