HC Deb 18 February 1976 vol 905 cc725-7W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he proposes to amend the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 to make provision for formal links between the WDA and the DBRW; and if he will ensure that a member of the DBRW Board serves on the WDA ;

(2) if he proposes to produce guidelines for co-ordination between the DBRW and the WDA and the WTB, the housing corporations and the local authorities ;

(3) what alternative arrangements he proposes for carrying out the functions of the Development Commission in Wales outside Powys, Meirionnydd and Ceredigion when the DBRW is established:

(4) why the functions of COSIRA in Powys, Meirionnydd and Ceredigion are not to be transferred directly to the DBRW, rather than indirectly by agency powers from the WDA;

(5) why he proposes that the DBRW should be appointed and financed by the Welsh Assembly, while the WDA will only be partly answerable to the Assembly;

(6) if he will transfer any powers under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside Act 1968 to the proposed DBRW;

(7) why he does not propose to give the DBRW any powers in the fields of agriculture

(8) why he proposes to limit the area of the DBRW's activities to Powys, Meirionnydd and Ceredigion;

(9) what housing powers he intends to transfer to the DBRW;

(10) if he intends to transfer any powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1968 to the DBRW;

(11) if he proposes to transfer any powers from the WNWDA and the Forestry Commission, to the DBRW;

(12) when he expects the DBRW to be operational;

(13) if he will designate the DBRW with the Welsh title Bwrdd Datblygu Cefn Gwlad ;

(14) if he intends that the DBRW should function as a bilingual institution in its development work in Powys, Meirionnydd and Ceredigion;

(15) if he will list the general powers he intends to confer on the DBRW;

(16) what powers of social and community development he intends to confer on the DBRW;

(17) what is his estimate of the annual budget of the DBRW;

(18) what is his estimate of the total number of staff that will initially serve the DBRW;

(19) why he does not propose to transfer responsibility for Industry Act 1972 assistance to the DBRW;

(20) what provision he plans to make for local authority representation on the DBRW;

(21) if he will ensure that a member of the DBRW serves on the WTB.

Mr. John Morris

The Government's proposals are set out in the consultation paper "Rural Wales" dated 9th February. I have nothing to add to this at present.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of staff employed by COSIRA in (a) Wales and (b) Powys, Meirionnydd and Ceredigion.

Mr. John Morris

COSIRA employs 18 full-time and five part-time staff in Wales. In addition, a number of staff based in England work part of their time in Wales. Seven full-time and four part-time staff are employed in the COSIRA (Wales) office at Newtown. In addition, two full-time field officers are based on Newtown and operate in Mid-Wales.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what organisations have been invited to submit their views on the consultation paper on the proposed Development Board for Rural Wales.

Mr. John Morris

The following bodies have been invited to submit their views:

  • Welsh Counties Committee.
  • Council for the Principality.
  • Welsh Development Agency.
  • Land Authority for Wales.
  • Mid Wales Development Corporation.
  • Development Commission.
  • Welsh Council.
  • COSIRA.
  • Wales Tourist Board.
  • Development Corporation for Wales.
  • Wales TUC.
  • CBI (Wales).
  • Housing Corporation.
  • Mid Wales Industrial Development Association.
  • Welsh National Water Development Authority.
  • Severn-Trent Water Authority.
  • National Farmers Union.
  • Farmers Union of Wales.
  • Council for the Protection of Rural Wales.
  • Forestry Commission.
  • Country Land-Owners Association.
  • County and District Councils.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what organisations were consulted prior to the publication of the consultation paper on a Development Board for Rural Wales.

Mr. John Morris

None.

1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Advances from the National Loans Fund 83,800 388,350 827,500 1,158,000 937,000 1,801,000 2,431,000 3,806,000*
Central Government Payments — 1,817 17,529 46,709 163,009 174,112 359,886 679,619
* Estimated.

The figures for central Government payments are made up of rent rebates

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