asked the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Monsanto Europe Company about its decision to declare redundant one-fifth of the labour force at the Company's Ruabon factory.

I have had a full and detailed discussion with the chairman and two of his senior colleagues

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the apprehension felt in my constituency about the continued well-being of this works? Is he aware that while his answer will be welcomed, nothing would be more reassuring for a works which has seen its labour force reduced from 2,000 some years ago to just under 1,000 today than to have considerable investment by the company linked with Government grant assistance for the development of a new product line at Ruabon? Did the Secretary of State discuss the possibility of this?

I discussed the matter fully with the chairman and his colleagues who made it clear, as I believe they made it clear to the employees at Cefn Mawr, when they met them later, that following the closure of the two loss-making units in question, the works would in future be viable. I understood the apprehensions that existed and I was happy to hear from the firm that there was no policy decision to close the works in the immediate or long-term future.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether Her Majesty's Government have now come to a decision about the projected reclamation of the Dee Estuary.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to give his approval to the Dee crossing scheme

As I have told the House previously, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have this matter under review. We hope to announce our preliminary conclusions as soon as possible

As my right hon. and learned Friend said last year that he hoped to make an announcement early this year, will he bear in mind that this multi-purpose scheme has been under consideration for a decade now, and that there is massive unemployment in the North-West. Is it not time that such a scheme, which is likely to pay for itself and to improve the amenities of the North West, was decided upon?

I appreciate what my hon. Friend says, but this is a very large multi-purpose project of great complexity. It needs to be examined with the greatest care, even before a preliminary conclusion can be reached

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman please stop dithering and say "Yes" or "No" and put us out of our misery on this issue? Is he not aware that Humberside has been granted its bridge across the Humber? Is he not further aware that the impression getting around now is that he has been pushed around by the Department of the Environment?

This is a decision which is not taken by me alone. It is a matter of considerable complexity, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman appreciates that each aspect needs to be evaluated separately and all aspects evaluated collectively. I can assure him that there is no question of dithering. We wish to reach a preliminary conclusion as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the expansion of facilities for comprehensive secondary education in the part of Monmouthshire comprising the Bedwellty Constituency in the period 1972 to 1974

This is primarily a matter for the Monmouthshire Local Education Authority. Apart from the Bedwas area the Authority has no plans for reorganising secondary education in the Bedwellty constituency by 1974.

While thanking the Secretary of State for that answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that Risca is part of the Bedwellty constituency and that the local education authority is not altogether happy with the insistence by his Department on an alternative site for the Risca comprehensive school? In view of that, will he give a firmer answer today than he gave me on 17th January when he said that the school was included in the 1972–73 building programme and tell me now that he guarantees that the school will be started in Risca by the end of the financial year 1972–73 so that the fears in my constituency can be put at rest?

I am afraid that I am not in a position to give a firm answer today. I will look into this and write to the hon. Gentleman giving as detailed an answer as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Working Party on Children in Hospital in Wales are being acted upon in planning the future of paediatric services in West Wales.

Developments in the paediatric services planned for West Wales by the Welsh Hospital Board are consistent with the Interim Report. This report was given wide circulation and comments have been invited for consideration by the Board's Working Party

But is my hon. Friend aware that the Working Party urged that a simple population-based norm was inappropriate as a guide to the appointment of paediatricians in Wales, that centralisation makes it difficult to maintain home contact and that travelling time and distance should be taken into account in planning services? Is this being done at Withybush? Will my hon. Friend ensure that the report is published?

First, the final report of the Working Party will not be presented to the Welsh Hospital Board before May. Secondly, as I think my hon. Friend is aware, an application by the Board for permission to appoint an additional consultant in paediatrics in West Wales to be based at Carmarthen has been submitted to the Advisory Committee on Consultant Establishments and a decision is awaited.

Will the hon. Gentleman resist any temptation to cling to a rigid policy of localising specialist services at the base hospitals only, or mainly at the base hospitals? Does he accept that there are areas in Mid-Wales where patients, their friends and families have to travel between 70 and 80 miles to get to the hospital which, with public transport services as they are, sometimes involves more than a day's travelling? This is a real problem of deprivation.

I appreciate that this is a very great problem in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, but, as I have said, professional opinion opposes single-handed appointments in the paediatric specialty, and it is thought that by basing the second consultant at Carmarthen the best use can be made of available resources while at the same time providing the most satisfactory service for the area as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the employment prospects in Wales for 1972.

Employment prospects in 1972 should improve as a result of Government measures to stimulate output.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, with only 4,000 new jobs created last year, the situation could hardly be worse? However, will he give an assurance that if unemployment in Wales rises to 60,000 in the next few months he will resign his seat in the Cabinet, and will he tell us whether that will be in February or in March?

As I am sure the hon. Gentleman appreciates from what he has read, there is great anticipation of guided growth in the economy this year and, with the co-operation of all those interested, there is no reason why Wales should not benefit.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that he is speaking like Mr. Micawber, waiting for something to turn up? How does he intend to explain to the people of Wales why his Government's policy of switching from investment grants to investment allowances has been a miserable failure? Is he aware that in Mid-Glamorgan and Port Talbot average male unemployment is running at 8·9 per cent.? At Cymmer, there are 245 men unemployed—one in five of the insured male population.

I am fully aware of the unemployment figures in Wales, which I consider to be deplorable in human, social and economic terms. But the right hon. Gentleman, who was a member of the last Labour Administration, will appreciate that the policy of deflation pursued by his Government is at the base of many of the difficulties we are facing today. That is why the present Government have pursued a massive policy of reflation, the benefits of which we shall start to see in 1972.

Is the Secretary of State aware that his policy has collapsed around him, that there are 20,000 people under 25 years of age unemployed in Wales and that as a result of his policies unemployment has increased by 60 per cent.? Is it not about time that the right hon. and learned Gentleman stood on his own two feet and accepted responsibility for the dismal failure of his policy?

No, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman should accept his share of responsibility, because he was a member of the Cabinet during six years of economic stagnation, rising import price controls and runaway inflation, which we inherited.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to write his next article in a Welsh newspaper in his official capacity.

I am always ready to consider requests from editors of Welsh newspapers to contribute articles.

In the next article which he writes, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman leave aside the brainless bromides which normally litter his efforts and tell the 56,000 unemployed Welsh people when they may expect jobs, why new job creation is down to one-third of its 1971 level and why the Chancellor of the Exchequer's miracle, which the Secretary of State was proclaiming in November, 1970, would happen "any week now", has not happened?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate the many measures taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1971 involving massive reflationary activity—

Mr. Micawber

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on the alliterative nature of his well-prepared supplementary question. I do not intend to be complacent about the situation, but the question which I was asked concerned articles in newspapers. The key to prosperity is industrial confidence, and it is essential to say loud and clear—hon. Members opposite refrain from saying it—that the outlook in terms of production and sales is brighter now than it has been for a long time.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the two great Welsh newspapers would be a great deal more readable if they were not half filled with the turgid outpourings of the right hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. George Thomas)?

Yes, Sir

In his next article, will the Secretary of State explain to the people of Wales why the cheerful optimism that things were on the upturn is at variance with the recent survey undertaken by major industrialists who foresee no great expansion in employment and production in their industries?

The major industrialists forecast at the beginning of this year that 1972 would be a year of growth.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what alternatives were considered by his Department before deciding on the proposals for fair rents in Wales as contained in the Housing Finance Bill.

The Government's objectives in relation to the reform of housing finance which were set out in the White Paper "Fair Deal for Housing" can satisfactorily be met only by the interrelated proposals embodied in the Housing Finance Bill.

I do not accept that as a reply to my Question. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Prices and Incomes Board rejected the concept of fair rents some years ago? Now we are embarking on legislation which will lead to a doubling of rents for council house tenants and the making of profits on council house rents. I should like the Minister to explain, if he can, why Scotland should have different legislation, based on historic costs, which will lead to lower rents for council house tenants.

The hon. Gentleman has asked me several questions. In the time available, I can answer only one. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I will write to the hon. Gentleman about the others. In marked contrast to the previous Administration, who, after six years' consideration, totally failed to deal with the acknowledged problem of local authority housing finance, we have formulated and presented our Bill within 12 months of taking office.

On a point of order. I am concerned that the Minister did not reply to my original Question. I asked him what alternatives had been considered.

That is not a point of order.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us and the Welsh people why Wales is getting a more raw deal than Scotland in the matter of rents, why there are different proposals for Scotland compared with England and why there is no Minister from the Welsh Office serving on the Committee considering the Housing Finance Bill to deal with the question of rents in Wales?

If the hon. Gentleman had been here on Thursday last week he would have heard the Leader of the House answer that question. I cannot add to what my right hon. Friend said.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he has examined the financial position created for Welsh local authorities who have special house construction problems.

Where Welsh local authorities have special housing construction problems the proposals contained in the Housing Finance Bill will alleviate their burden since subsidies will be directed to the authorities which have the greatest need.

I do not believe a word of that. Nor do the Welsh people. Is the Minister aware that I was dealing with a specific project? I draw his attention to the lower Swansea valley. Will he make Government finance available to the local authority for regional development in the derelict areas of the Swansea valley? Is he aware that the cost of rehabilitation to development standards will result in too high a burden to be borne by Swansea City Council? Lastly, is he aware that this project would also provide employment for the unemployed in Swansea?

If the hon. Member will write to me about the details I will answer him. I cannot be expected to know the details of a particular housing problem unless the hon. Gentleman has given me notice. I will answer him if he writes to me. The housing cost yardstick which is used as the main basis for the payment of subsidies for new house building is designed to take into account any special house construction problems known to the local authorities, and it is kept continuously under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what schemes and works will be carried out in the next five years, and at what approximate cost, to deal with problems of pollution by sewage disposal or by industrial effluent or waste in the vicinity of Barry, Rhoose, Sully and adjacent places along the South Wales coast of the Bristol Channel; and if he will make a statement.

There are a number of schemes in hand or in course of preparation which will improve domestic sewage and industrial effluent outfall conditions in the Channel in the area or adjacent to the places mentioned. I am circulating the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has my hon. Friend noted the many expressions of concern about these matters, particularly about the state of the sea water along the coast mentioned, and will he consider this matter with tremendous urgency?

I am aware of the proper concern of my hon. Friend on this subject. As far as the medical implications of Mr. William Smith's report are concerned, my officials have been in touch with the medical officer of Penarth, who has indicated that to his knowledge there have been no cases of infection contracted from bathing in the sea at Penarth.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what communications he has received about the circumstances in which planning permission was given for the extension of the Portland Cement Company's quarry at Cefn Mawr in Flint-shire; and what reply he has sent.

We have received three letters of protest. I am having inquiries made into this matter and will reply as soon as these are complete.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, but would he urge upon the planning authorities in Wales not to rest content with the existing inadequate statutory provisions for consultation but to go out and tell people, whose property or whose livelihood may be affected, of planning decisions, and will he keep in very close touch with his colleagues in the Department of the Environment who are, as I understand it from the debate last week, about to issue a circular of guidance to authorities in England on this subject?

I know that this is a problem. Without going into details at this stage I would say that I have been given to understand that the local parish council was consulted in this case as well as other bodies and that there was no objection to the application at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a further statement concerning Mid-Wales

I outlined the Government's policy to the Welsh Grand Committee last year. I have recently announced my willingness to assist the development of the growth towns by considering applications from the authorities concerned for grants under Section 7 of the Local Employment Act on a wider basis than hitherto

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that, since his Government withdrew the rural development board for Wales, in so far as any comprehensive plan for growth in Mid-Wales is concerned the Government have exhibited complete bankruptcy and sterility of policy? Does he also accept that his statement a few weeks ago to the Mid-Wales Industrial Development Association that he would decide on the designation of new growth towns when it was established that Newtown was financially viable is a very indefinite yardstick justifying delay for 20 to 40 years?

First, may I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his appointment to the Front Bench opposite? I do not accept the first part of his supplementary question. If he were to read the statement I made to the Welsh Grand Committee on 28th April he would see that I formulated a definite policy, much of which was a policy which was laid down by the previous Administration which I have adopted. The other day, to the Development Association, I was able to announce an important and, indeed, unique concession to Mid-Wales—the enlargement of the basis of Section 7 of the Local Employment Act grants.

Would the Secretary of State accept that he left the Mid-Wales Development Corporation members in considerable doubt as to his intentions in this matter? He would not accept that the expansion of the activities of Newtown corporation should go ahead immediately. Will he revise that opinion about their standing on their own two feet as he is expecting growth towns to do?

I made the position quite clear to the Development Association. I said that I did not rule out the possibility of extending the corporation's remit at some future date—[HON. MEMBERS: "Ah."]—but that I had no immediate plans in that direction. My intention was to see whether the Corporation in Newtown could be judged a success.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much additional expenditure on infrastructure schemes in Wales has been allocated for the years 1971–72 and 1972–73; and how many additional jobs this has created.

Details of the £21 million programme to be undertaken mainly in the period to March, 1973, were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 18th October, 1971. A high proportion of the further £9 million allocated for trunk and principal road schemes will also be spent in this period. As regards additional employment I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 29th November, 1971, to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John.)—[Vol. 827, c. 4.]

May we take it that if the Secretary of State is not able to tell us the figures of the additional employment being created he will cease blowing his own trumpet by publishing these figures at frequent intervals, and, above all, that he will bear in mind that the people of Wales will expect him in their interests to resist any further weakening in regional policy as suggested by the Prime Minister last week? If there is any further weakening of regional policy through the allocation of I.D.C.s the people of Wales will expect at least the resignation of the Secretary of State.

That supplementary question goes a little wider than the main Question, which refers to infrastructure. The fact that an additional £30 million will be spent, or that its expenditure will be accelerated, in Wales, means inevitably that employment will be provided.

How long will it take?

When?

These schemes have only just started and, undoubtedly, there will be in 1972–73 a period of acceleration of a number of schemes. Many of them will be dealt with by local authorities. It is impossible for one to be precise about the number of jobs, but if we accelerate expenditure by £30 million, inevitably that will provide employment.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made by the working party which he set up to examine the problems caused by straying animals, particularly in South Wales.

The working party has met eight times and has received written evidence from 83 bodies. Investigation is continuing.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, while the Bill passed last year rectified a serious anomaly in the law dealing with stray animals, the position in South Wales is still serious and the public are awaiting the results of the working party, and indeed the Government's proposals, to put an end to this continuing, vexatious problem?

I have chaired six of the eight meetings of the working party, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are dealing with a complicated matter which is different in almost every part of South Wales. I am sure that he would be the first to give credit to the Government for being the first Government to tackle the problem.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what solution he offered to the Swansea City Council, on the occasion of his recent visit, to the problem of the large number of apparently owner-less horses which are causing depredation?

I had a most interesting conversation with the Mayor and Council of Swansea on the subject of horses in Swansea. If the hon. Gentleman would like to know the details, I shall be glad to go into them with him later.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the results of his review of the unemployment situation in Cwmbran New Town; and whether he will now include Cwmbran New Town within the Welsh development area

No decision on future status has been taken. I agree that the unemployment situation is serious but, as I have previously said, a decision on Cwmbran cannot be taken in isolation

Is the Secretary of State aware that his inertia and dalliance are causing despair in Cwmbran, where hundreds of men are leaving the town to seek employment in England or elsewhere? What is the rationale of investing millions in a new town and taking no action to rescue the new town from the unemployment which, while he is dallying, is increasing? There have been redundancies in Panteg Steel Works and Guest Keen, and further redundancies affecting the new town will result from the British Steel, Stewart and Lloyd, announcement of closure in Newport. Is he prepared to do practically nothing? How much longer must we wait for the decision on whether this will be a development area?

Decisions on the status of individual areas, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, cannot be taken without regard to the situation elsewhere, and the claims of other areas in Wales have to be taken into account. I assure the hon. Gentleman that decisions will be taken as soon as possible

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that, if Cwmbran is made a development area and the efforts of the Government are no greater in the new town than they are in the present development areas, he will be adding nil to nil, and the equation, by my arithmetic, will still be nil?

That is an interesting observation, because the special development area has a considerable differential and attraction to industry. As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is not as if industry is moving into other places and not going into the development areas. When there is—as one has every expectation that there will be—an upsurge in investment, then the special development areas should benefit greatly

The Secretary of State in answer to Questions this afternoon has four times said "as soon as possible". Will he please tell us when he expects to be able to help Cwmbran in its grievous difficulties?

All I can tell the right hon. Gentleman is that a decision will be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many secondary schools for children aged 11 to 16 years will be functioning in Wales when the school-leaving age is raised.

It is expected that there will be 101 maintained secondary schools, for pupils aged 11–16, in Wales in September, 1972.

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his reply, but does he agree that when the school-leaving age is raised, these schools might face special problems in having no sixth form available for pupils and in the provision of a counselling service? Will he consider consulting local education authorities on the provision of additional resources to meet this important commitment?

The local education authorities and voluntary bodies concerned are well aware of the problem. It is a matter for them. If they think that additional help is necessary, I have no doubt that they will get in touch with me, and I shall certainly have sympathetic regard to what they say.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to alleviate the situation in the Wrexham constituency where nearly 400 redundancies were declared from two factories immediately after the Christmas holiday.

The full range of development area assistance is already available and I am confident that Wrexham will continue to attract new investment.

Is the Secretary of State aware that during the last election I was assuring the electorate of Wrexham, with good reason and with some pride, that Wrexham, which is in the Welsh development area, was rapidly reaching a state of economic self-sufficiency; but that now, for no good reason except the policies of the Government, I am obliged to tell my constituents that the position at Wrexham is bleaker than it has been for many years? When does he expect the steps to which he has referred to take effect?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, since June, 1970, industrial building amounting to 700,000 square feet has been approved in the Wrexham area. I well appreciate the anxieties in the area when the 400 redundancies were declared, but I am happy to say that other firms in the area are now recruiting labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what correspondence he has received from Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council concerning the Housing Finance Bill; and what reply he has sent.

The Clerk of the Urban District Council has informed us that the council has resolved not to implement certain provisions of the Housing Finance Bill when these become law. The letter is being acknowledged.

Does the Minister of State recognise that the silly Housing Finance Bill has induced otherwise law-abiding and reasonable citizens on the Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council to contemplate ignoring the law? Will he not reconsider the wisdom of trying to enact such legislation when democratically elected representatives in touch with council house tenants in the area talk of the Bill as complete nonsense and a farce and will not be bullied into operating it?

I do not think that I should comment on what is clearly intended as a party political gesture at a time when the Housing Finance Bill is still under discussion.

Will my hon. Friend condemn in the strongest possible terms any repeated attempts of hon. Members opposite to encourage local authorities to flout the law of the land?

That will be a matter for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the organisations he has met in Wales since June, 1970, with direct involvement in the unemployment situation.

A large number of organisations I meet have some involvement in the economic situation and related issues of employment and unemployment. It would be impracticable to list them all.

Is the Secretary of State aware that both the trade unions and the C.B.I. have strongly condemned the Government policy of abandoning investment grants? Will he explain how long the "at a stroke" referred to by the Prime Minister in June, 1970, is intended to take?

Both the C.B.I. and T.U.C. in Wales, who have met me on several occasions, have put forward suggestions, many of which have been carried into effect by the Government. I am looking forward to future meetings with them. I am meeting the T.U.C. on 11th February and representatives of the Welsh Council two days before that.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what investigations of illegal dumping of poisons on tips in Wales he has undertaken; and what evidence of such practices has come to light.

The investigation of illegal tipping of any type of material is primarily the responsibility of the local planning authority. The Government are not satisfied with the present arrangements and urgent consideration is being given to proposals for a new authorisation procedure.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tipping, whether legal or illegal, of toxic waste on two quarries in my constituency controlled by Purle Brothers has created pollution sufficient to cause the death of cattle? Does he not agree that that is a serious and urgent matter for investigation? Will he undertake, on behalf of the Government, early legislation to halt the tipping of toxic waste and in the meantime issue a guide line from the Welsh Office to local authorities to control this grave menace to the Welsh countryside?

As I said in my answer to the original Question, the Government are giving urgent consideration to new authorisation procedures. Welsh Office officials gave advice to the local planning authority in August, 1970, on the case to which the hon. Gentleman referred, following which Glamorgan County Council secured the agreement of the contractors involved that tipping at the sites would stop.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he has estimated the future industrialisation needs of Wales.

The need to expand the industrial base of Wales is self-evident

That answer is a spit in the face to the people of Wales. Is the Secretary of State aware that the short-term industrial needs of Wales require an intensive boost in terms of the attraction of industry to Wales to absorb 56,000 jobless? Is he further aware that we on this side of the House, and the people of Wales, look to him to put this matter before the Cabinet at long last, and that we want his assurance that he will do so? Lastly, could I emphasise the seriousness of the situation in Wales by saying that in the great city of Swansea six people are chasing every vacancy? What a commentary on his Government's policy!

The Question asks me to estimate the future industrialisation needs of Wales. I did not intend my answer in any way to be a spit in the face, as the hon. Gentleman described it, to anybody. A forecasting exercise is unnecessary since there is no doubt that the need for new industry in Wales will continue for a long time to come.

If the Secretary of State is confident that growth in Wales is imminent as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement some months ago, will he now announce the erection of some advance factories in areas of high unemployment in Wales, such as my own, which is badly in need of industrial expansion? If he has all this confidence which he has implied today, why does he not do something about it?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I have made many announcements about advance factories in Wales —[HON. MEMBERS: "When?"]—I made an announcement about advance factories last year. The question of advance factories is, strictly, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he will make special arrangements, in cases in- volving the need for long or fairly long periods of treatment in hospital, for patients resident at Barry, Rhoose, Sully, Dinas Powis, and Wenvoe, or in adjoining areas of South-East Glamorgan, to ensure that such patients may be in hospitals reasonably near their homes; and if he will make a statement.

In planning the services for these areas, the Welsh Hospital Board is taking full account of the principle that long-stay patients should be in hospitals as near as possible to their homes.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he recognise that the concentration of surgery for consultants in district general hospitals, such as the new university hospital at the Heath, Cardiff, has created new social problems, particularly for relatives and next-of-kin, and will he persuade or influence the Welsh Hospital Board to reappraise the whole situation?

Discussions on this very matter are continuing at the moment between officers of the Welsh Hospital Board and the local general practitioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were killed and injured in road accidents in Flintshire during the year 1971.

Forty-three persons were killed and 1,290 were injured.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this tragic total is a further incentive to press on with the improvement of the two new main east-west roads through Flintshire which are primarily responsible for this appalling tragedy?

Yes. I agree that all figures related to road accidents are tragic. There was a slight decrease in total casualties compared with 1970, but there was a slight increase in fatalities. In reply to the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, I am pressing ahead with plans to provide more dual carriageways in Flintshire, particularly on the A55, where schemes covering a further 16 miles are being prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now request the Welsh Council to make a further more detailed and more comprehensive study of the likely effects of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community upon Wales.

No

Does the Secretary of State not accept that he has left the House with an impression he has not assiduously examined the likely effect on Wales of entry into the E.E.C. and that he is emulating the three wise monkeys in not hearing, speaking or indeed even thinking any evil of the E.E.C.?

I have assiduously examined the facts, as did the Welsh Council. I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree that the Report of the Welsh Council was an extremely well-documented and valuable assessment of the effects of entry on Wales.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Monmouthshire, the area which could have been presumed to benefit most from entry into the E.E.C., 4,000 jobs have been lost in the last 14 months? Does he not agree that if the Government keep this up, we in Wales truly will go naked into Europe and that that will be the Government's fault?

I hope that the industrialists in Monmouthshire will appreciate that our entry into Europe will mean a very much wider market for their products.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authorities in Wales have now supported his proposals to divide Glamorgan into three new counties; and how many local authorities now oppose them.

Four local authorities, all in South Wales, have so far indicated support for the division into three counties. Thirty-nine local authorities, including two in North Wales, have told me that they oppose the provisions for Glamorgan in the Local Government Bill. Two of these, however, suggest a different three-way division.

Does the Secretary of State not recall that during the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill he informed the House that some 40 local authorities supported his recommendation for South-East Glamorgan, and does he not agree that obviously this is just not true, as many of us said at the time? Will he now take into consideration the wise advice that is being given to him by the local authorities in that area and revert to a two-county set-up in the County of Glamorgan?

It is difficult for me to take the advice of local authorities. Of the 39 local authorities which I mentioned in my answer, one-third are parish councils, and we must remember that the total number of local authorities in Wales is 1,076. The 39 authorities who have told me that they oppose my provisions must be compared with the 47 who supported the Cardiff Action Committee at the time of my Consultative Document.

But surely the right hon. and learned Gentleman will not wish further to mislead the House—as he has misled us about the 40-odd authorities who supported his proposals about Glamorgan. Will he take into account the fact that there is now a massive feeling of resentment against his proposals, which will destroy effective local government in Glamorganshire? Will he look again at the situation before these matters are reached in the Standing Committee?

The matter is at the moment being considered in the Standing Committee, and this is not the time for me to say anything about it. It will be debated there. As for the figures, all I can say is that 47 local authorities supported the Cardiff Action Committee at the time of my Consultative Document.

The Secretary of State said that 47 authorities supported him. He led the House to believe that he had been in touch with these authorities, whereas it has since been revealed that he took all his evidence from the biased Cardiff Action Committee and had not even investigated whether the figures he gave to the House were right at the time he gave them.

If I saw that certain local authorities had supported the Cardiff Action Committee, I was entitled to infer from that fact that they were opposed to my proposals in the Consultative Document. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I gained little support from him or from his hon. Friends, and indeed from local authorities generally, for my proposals in regard to Glamorgan in the Consultative Document. They are now trying to say that they wish to support my original proposals. At the time of the Consultative Document, they opposed them.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to ensure that schools in Wales will remain open, in view of the strike in the coal mining industry.

It is the responsibility of the local education authorities to ensure that all possible steps are taken to keep their schools open.

Is the Secretary of State aware that he also has a direct responsibility in this matter and that at present some 50,000 Welsh school children, many of whom shortly face important examinations, are being deprived of their education because of the Government's stubborn refusal to grant a fair and just wage to the miners? Is he further aware that he would do a great service to the people of Wales if he were at this moment to advise his right hon. Friend to instruct Derek Ezra promptly to call a meeting with the miners and put before them a much-improved offer, in order to alleviate the suffering of old-age pensioners and sick people in my constituency and in South Wales as a whole?

I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that it would be in the interests of all if this unhappy strike could be settled. I agree that many people are suffering and will suffer in the future. I am satisfied that local education authorities are doing all that they can to keep schools open. When schools are forced to close, special arrangements are generally made to assist children with their studies.

In view of the rising anger in the country about the continuance of the coal strike and the compete failure of the Government to take any action to try to bring it to an end, will not the right hon. Gentleman, as Secretary of State for Wales, recognise that he has special responsibilities on this matter to make representations to the Government, especially to the Prime Minister? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he has made any special representations on this matter or whether he intends to do so this week?

I am fully aware of my interest in this matter—and it is a real interest. But the hon. Gentleman's question is somewhat wide of the original Question, which asked what I intended to do to ensure that schools in Wales remained open.

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to control the disciplinary code for solicitors.

No, Sir. The discipline of solicitors is already controlled by the Solicitors Acts and rules made there under.

Why are solicitors allowed to be treated differently from ordinary industrial workers? Ordinary industrial workers also have their code, but they have, contrary to the will of the people, been legislated against. Why should solicitors be a law unto themselves?

The answer must be that this House has made provisions under the Solicitors Act, and there are rules of practice of conduct under the Solicitors Practice Rules set up by this House. There are also general rules of professional conduct under a disciplinary committee appointed by the Master of the Rolls established by Section 46 of the Solicitors Act, 1957.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the prima facie evidence submitted to him of the self-confession of Mr. Beverley Nichols that on three occasions he attempted to murder his father, he will initiate proceedings against Mr. Beverley Nichols for this admitted offence.

No.

I knew what the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Answer was before he read it. Can he give any good reason why someone who happens to be a well-known figure and rather well off appears to be able to get away with offences, whereas the ordinary working-class woman who is seen to steal a bottle of milk, or who confesses to it, is sentenced to imprisonment without question? Surely in a case like this some action could be taken, if only to deter others?

The hon. Gentleman referred me to what he said was evidence. The evidence that I received from him was a newspaper article—

Self-confession.

I do not think that it is in the public interest that I should ask the police and the Director to consider whether, 57 years ago, a certain gentleman put aspirins in his father's broth or even whether, 42 years ago, the same gentleman launched a garden roller at his father with intent to kill.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to ensure that students who suffer loss of vacation earnings as a result of being called for jury service receive appropriate financial compensation.

A student who has taken up temporary employment during the vacation and who suffers a loss of earnings as a result of being called for jury service is entitled to financial compensation in the same way as any other employed person who suffers actual loss of earnings.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this decision is not being applied in all cases and that, according to the details of a case that I have sent the Government, a student was deprived of these earnings? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman ensure in future that these decisions are taken on the basis that those people who do their public duty are encouraged to do so and not penalised for doing so?

It is a question of loss of earnings which has been necessarily suffered or expenses which have been necessarily incurred. With regard to the general point raised by the hon. Gentleman, arrangements are being made that the Crown Courts should be advised that, where applications are made by students on the ground of financial hardship that they should be excused, such applications should be considered sympathetically.

If the student referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) were able to establish his claim and were now to make it, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman take a sympathetic view?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Attorney-General if he will submit proposals to extend Land Registration to the whole of England and Wales.

Extension of compulsory registration of title to land to the whole of England and Wales remains the policy of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. Further extensions of that system will be made as soon as circumstances permit. It would be impracticable to extend it to all outstanding areas in one operation.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when circumstances will permit? Is he aware that the Land Registration Act, 1925, will have been on the Statute Book almost 50 years in a matter of three years? In view of the distinct advantages, especially to people purchasing their own houses, when there will be a saving of a third of the conveyancing costs, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman speed up the process a little?

The plan to extend compulsory registration to all the built-up areas was begun in 1964. In 1968 it was delayed or held back. But between 1968 and 1972 there has been added almost a further million properties, so that now two out of every five are subject to registration. I appreciate the importance of this issue. One of the problems is the updating of the Ordnance Survey, which also regulates the pace.

asked the Attorney-General if he will institute a review of all proceedings of a forensic character, whether taking place in courts, tribunals, arbitrations or inquiries, where there is at present no entitlement to legal aid, and consider the propriety of the extension of legal aid in the light of the results thereof.

Priority must be given to the scheme for the better provision of legal advice and assistance for which legislation will be introduced this Session. When that scheme is in operation and the research now proceeding into the need for assistance before tribunals has made more progress, the need for a further extension of the scheme can be considered.

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer. Will he bear in mind that there is a growing feeling among wide sections of the public that a somewhat unsatisfactory position obtains here in that large sums of the taxpayers' money are paid to people charged with and not infrequently found guilty of criminal offences, whereas no aid is available to the citizen whose property is affected, for example, by public improvements and compulsory purchase orders and his need to appear in respect thereof? Will my right hon. and learned Friend further have regard to the position of the preservation and amenity societies which are motivated solely by a desire to put forward matters in what they concede to be the public interest and, in the absence of aid, find themselves inhibited from doing so?

I shall bear in mind the important points to which my right hon. and learned Friend has referred. The only comment that I make is that, in the matter of legal aid in criminal cases, it has been decided and generally welcomed that there should be legal aid widely available to those persons who stand in such jeopardy. But I shall hear in mind my right hon. and learned Friend's comments.

When will the scheme for legal advice and assistance be introduced? It was promised in the Queen's Speech. Why has there been this delay in introducing it?

It is in the programme and it will be brought before the House shortly.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the case in Watford of Mr. Feiler, who was dismissed from a hospital by the management committee and who appealed to the regional board? His appeal was allowed, but he has crippling legal expenses to meet which he cannot afford. What can be done about such a case?

I am afraid I do not know about the case of Mr. Feiler in Watford. However, if the hon. Gentleman sends me particulars, I will have them looked into.

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to abolish ground rents.

This subject is under consideration by the Law Commission, and any decision as to legislation must await its report.

I am grateful for that reply. Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the system which is prevalent in Lancashire whereby one person is obliged to collect ground rents from his neighbours without any reward is grossly unfair? In view of the Law Commission's criticisms of it, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when he expects legislation to deal with it to come before the House?

This is a controversial and complex matter. The Law Commission's working papers made provisional conclusions. The final report is now being prepared and is expected in 1972.

asked the Attorney-General whether, having considered the evidence submitted by the hon. Member for Lambeth, Brixton, he has now decided to institute criminal proceedings against an official of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds who shot a stag on Porlock beach last October after it had been rescued from the sea.

I have decided that criminal proceedings should not be instituted.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I sent him all the evidence required to sustain a successful prosecution as long ago as 7th December? How much longer are these bloodthirsty louts to be allowed to pursue their filthy activities?

The hon. Gentleman sent me certain correspondence. First, consideration was given to whether there was any evidence of an offence under Section 3 of the Deer Act, but there was no evidence that a shotgun was an unauthorised weapon. Secondly, consideration was given to whether there was an offence under Section 19 of the Firearms Act, 1968. There was no evidence that it was unreasonable to shoot the stag which, according to reports, was either wounded or in danger of drowning.