§ Mr. Bestasked the Lord Privy Seal if, pursuant to his answer of 4 March, Official Report, column 96, he will list the dates and the topics of each of the Welsh debates in 1979–80 and in 1984–85, respectively, indicating which of them were initiated (a) in Government time, (b) in time made available to the Opposition and (c) by private Members.
§ Mr. BiffenThe information is as follows:
Debate Date For session 1979–80: Welsh Affairs (G) 23 May 1979 Wales Act 1979 Repeal (G) 26 June 1979 Nursery Education (Clwyd) (P) 18 July 1979 Bombing Ranges, Pembray, Dyfed (P) 9 November 1979 Welsh Affairs (G) 15 January 1980 Coal Industry in South Wales (P) 4 February 1980 Welsh Affairs (G) 4 February 1980 Bernard Wardle factory (Caernarvon) (P) 21 March 1980 Treforest Skillcentre (P) 15 May 1980 Wales (the Berwyns) (P) 16 June 1980 Prison Officers' Houses, South Wales (P) 3 November 1980 For session 1984–85: Welsh Rate Support Grant Report 1985–86 (G) 16 January 1985 Adult Education in Wales (P) 31 January 1985 Welsh Affairs (G) 28 February 1985 North Wales Rail Services (P) 1 July 1985 Rural Communities in Wales (O) 4 June 1985 Welsh Rate Support Grant Supplementary (No. 2) Report 1984–85 (G) 16 July 1985 Since the answer of 4 March 1986, the following debates have also been identified:
302W
Debate Date For session 1979–80: Helenor Bye (P) 27 November 1979 Development Board for Rural Wales Order (G) 8 February 1980 Textile Workers in Flint (P) 9 July 1980 For session 1984–85: Dairy Farming in South West Wales (Consolidated Fund) (P) 19–20 December 1984 Sewers and Surface Drainage (Wales) (P) 19 March 1985 St. John's Colliery, Maesteg (P) 23 April 1985 Courtaulds (Cardiff) (P) 2 May 1985 The River Wye (P) 22 May 1985 Toxic Waste Disposal in Gwent (P) 2 July 1985 Welsh Language and Social Services (Consolidated Fund) (P) 24–25 July 1985 Closure of Blackmill Hospital (P) 26 July 1985 (G)=in Government time. (O)=in Opposition time. (P)=in Private Members' time (including daily Adjournment debates). Note:
The above list does not include debates on various stages of legislation, ten minute rule bills, money resolutions, SO 10 applications, and PNQs, but does include inter alia daily adjournment debates, debates on Statutory Instruments, and Consolidated Fund Bill debates.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Lord Privy Seal what criteria he applies in deciding whether to allocate Government time for debates on matters specifically relating to Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenIt is traditional for there to be a sessional debate on Welsh affairs. The Standing Orders of the House also provide that the Welsh Grand Committee may also consider matters relating specifically to Wales, which are referred to it. Arrangements for such debates are made following discussion through the usual channels.