§ Mr. Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what duties and powers the Welsh Secretary of his Department has, over and above the duties and powers of a regional controller; and how far, giving the relevant date, the recommendations of the Arton Wilson Report have been implemented in this respect.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIn addition to carrying out the normal functions of a regional office, the Welsh Department of my Ministry has Headquarter responsibility on matters of land improvement and land use and for a wide range of grant and subsidy schemes: it also deals with all matters relating solely to Wales.
The Welsh Secretary is also responsible for advising on the Welsh aspects of policy and for keeping me abreast of Welsh opinion on agricultural matters. Furthermore he is in close contact with the Ministers responsible for Welsh affairs.
It is not possible to give a specific date from which the recommendations of the Arton Wilson Committee were implemented since implementation is a continuing process.