§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give consideration to the creation of a body to co-ordinate the functions of bodies established, and proposed to be established, to foster the development of agriculture, industry and tourism in Mid-Wales.
§ Mrs. WhiteCo-ordination of the work of statutory and other bodies concerned with the problems of Mid-Wales can be effected, so far as it may be needed, through the Welsh Office.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will, in view of the 1967 Report of the Mid-Wales Industrial Development Association showing that the population of Mid-Wales between 1956 and 1966 fell by 6,040, proceed immediately with plans to develop each of the main towns of Mid-Wales.
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§ Mrs. WhiteAs my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend intends shortly to establish a Mid-Wales Development Corporation, whose initial task will be to double the size of Newtown. Further, the Government have received and are considering proposals for the expansion of Rhayader on an experimental basis. The lessons learned will be valuable in examining the practicability of other plans for the expansion of other towns in the area. Meanwhile, the Government have stepped up the provision of industrial inducements and advance factories in Mid-Wales so that the pace of industrial expansion in towns throughout the area can be accelerated.