§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the proposed financial allocation to be given to the Development Board for Rural Wales for the year 1980–81; and how much of a 436W cut this represents as compared with the board's allocation for the year 1979–80.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe planned allocation to the Development Board for Rural Wales for 1980–81 based on the figures in Cmnd. 7746 is £6 million. This compares with £9.4 million actually allocated for 1979–80, which included a supplementary of £3.8 million transferred from other Welsh Office programmes over the original £5.6 million.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met a deputation from the Development Board for Rural Wales; who were the persons present from his office and the Development Board for Rural Wales, respectively; and what subjects were discussed.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI met the chairman and two members of the board on 4 December. The chief executive and the development director of the board and officials of my Department were also present. We discussed the future work of the board.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the Development Board for Rural Wales' financial allocation for the year 1980–81 will be allocated for spending (a) in Newtown and (b) outside Newtown; and what proportion of its allocation is proposed to be allocated to its social development fund.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIt is anticipated that £3.3 million of the board's planned allocation of £6 million for 1980–81 will be made available for Newtown. The board's provision for carrying out its social development powers under section 4(1)(d)(ii) of the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 will be published in due course in the 1980–81 Estimates.