asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of new jobs announced in Flintshire since the grant of intermediate area status to the whole county.

I know of about 400 new jobs likely to arise from projects approved in Flintshire since March. In addition 200–300 new jobs are likely to be created at the Hawker Siddeley plant at Broughton.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that that is a most welcome consequence of the Government's economic policies in general and in particular of the removal of the disabilities from which Flintshire has suffered to date as a result of being excluded from all intermediate assistance until the present Government took office? Will he accept that all this could be undone many times over were the rundown of steel-making at Shotton to proceed in such a way as to put 6,000 men out of work?

I am fully aware of the importance to the area of the employment opportunities given in the steelworks at Shotton. There have been moderately encouraging moves since Flintshire was made an intermediate area. The number of inquiries has trebled in the six months since then compared with the six months before.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the special problems of the borough of Flint? How many jobs are there for that borough? Is he aware that the borough is grossly over-dependent on the ageing mills of Courtaulds?

Yes. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am fully aware that that area depends to a great extent on three major industries, of which Courtaulds is one.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will order a review of the problems of residential caravan residents in Wales.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I keep the problems of residential caravan dwellers generally under constant review.

Does not the Minister realise that there is great anxiety upon these three sites about a number of matters—security of tenure, the ways in which people may dispose of their caravans when they move away and the terms upon which they may do so? Does he not think that the limpness of his answer betokens his general nerveless grasp of Welsh Affairs?

I do not think that the last part of that question is worth a reply. The National Federation of Site Operators and the National Mobile Homes Residents Association are in the process of drawing up a mutually acceptable model site agreement and the Government are in touch with the parties.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the existing law, which results from the 1968 Act, passed by the Labour Government, is deemed by many people living on the residential site at Rhoose, in Glamorgan, to be somewhat inadequate to deal with the difficult problems which they encounter when they have invested rather heavily not only in the caravans but in the improvement of the sites around them? Will he look at that aspect of the matter?

I take the point. The Caravan Sites Act, 1968, gives some protection. We take the view that new legislation would be likely to dry up the supply of new sites and would not be in the long-term interests of caravan residents, but I will certainly continue to look at the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations concerning the use of the land he has received from or on behalf of residents at Court Farm Caravan site, Rhoose, Glamorgan; and what steps he will take to assist them.

Four hon. Members have written about the circumstances of the residents. I have also received representations from other sources. As my hon. Friend knows, court proceedings are pending and, therefore, I can make no comment on the situation until they are concluded.

Will my hon. Friend take into account that the possible closure of this site will create emergency conditions over and above the sort of housing needs for which the local authority should reasonably be expected to cater? To that extent, it is possible that help may be available from the Department to the local authority to enable it to meet this emergency need?

The Cardiff Rural District Council is empowered under Section 24 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, to provide sites for permanent caravan dwellers, and compulsory powers are available to it. It also has powers as a housing authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the report on the management arrangements for the reorganised Health Service in Wales.

The report contains the recommendations of a steering committee set up to advise me on detailed management organisation within the proposed new health authorities. It was widely distributed, without commitment, to health and allied organisations in September in order that they may comment on it by the end of November. I shall not be forming conclusions on these recommendations until I have considered the comments.

Does not the Minister think that the management consultancy and the steering committee should have had the decency to consult the Welsh Hospital Board, the one representative body for Wales dealing with health, before publishing its report? In view of the considerable expense—over £70,000 paid out to an American management firm—will he now send it packing and reorganise the Health Service on democratic principles based on the 1948 Act?

The steering committee, which was assisted by a study group which contained National Health Service officers and the management consultants referred to, made its own recommendations. The committee did not formally consult any authority although some authority members offered informal views. There were numerous informal discussions with officers of the Welsh Hospital Board and other authorities.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman confirm the figure mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. Rowlands) of £70,000 spent on considering the reorganisation of the Health Service in Wales? Is he aware that we could tell him plenty of ways in which he could have spent that £70,000?

The sum of money approximates to the figure mentioned by the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil and was the proper fee one would pay to management consultants for work which they did. I have already announced the figure involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the proposed reorganisation of the health services in Wales.

I have received many representations mainly as comments on proposals outlined in the consultative document. Some are now coming in on the proposals in the White Paper and on the Welsh Health Management Study Steering Committee report.

Does the Secretary of State realise that those of us on this side of the House who live in Wales and represent Welsh constituencies feel strongly that any Bill to bring about a reorganisation of the Health Service in Wales must be subjected to detailed scrutiny by Welsh Members, that this can be done only if we have a separate Bill for Wales and that we shall not take kindly to a sell-out similar to that on local government reorganisation?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that there will not be a sellout, as he describes it. The fundamental provisions will be the same for both countries. Differences arising from the proposal that there should be no regional health authority in Wales need occupy only a small part of the Bill, and hon. Members will have all the normal opportunities to examine and discuss its provisions. Discussions are taking place for this to be debated in the Welsh Grand Committee.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman put pressure on the Leader of the House to change his mind about introducing a separate Bill? Is not this another example of the Welsh Office ducking its parliamentary responsibility in not being prepared to defend its Welsh proposals in a separate Bill before the proper Committee of this House?

Obviously the hon. Gentleman did not listen to what I said. The fundamental provisions of the Bill will be the same for both countries, and it will be Statutes common to both England and Wales which will be subject to discussion and amendment. The one difference, which is the absence of a regional tier in Wales, will occupy only a small part of the Bill.

Is my right hon. and learned friend aware that many of us on this side of the House who take a keen interest in these matters would regard it as an intolerable waste of parliamentary time if we had to discuss separate Bills dealing with virtually the same proposals for both countries?

If there were two Bills, most of their provisions would be common. For that reason there would be duplication.

Has the Secretary of State forgotten that he has executive authority for the Health Service in Wales, that he issued a separate White Paper dealing with the Health Service in Wales and that, having produced his own separate set, it is clear that either he does not carry sufficient weight in the Cabinet to get a Welsh Bill or that he has been overruled by his colleagues?

The right hon. Gentleman, not for the first time, is wrong. I have looked into the matter carefully. Appreciating all the problems involved in a separate Welsh Bill, I have come to the conclusion that it would be wrong to have a separate Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he anticipates that a health centre will be opened at Pontllanfraith, Monmouthshire.

The general medical practitioners have withdrawn from the scheme for a health centre which was approved last April. I understand that a local meeting is now being arranged to discuss the position.

Does not the Minister agree that the people of this area have already waited an inordinately long time for civilised health centre facilities? Does he acknowledge that this delay is almost solely attributable to the social irresponsibility and selfish attitude of certain general practitioners in the area? Will he undertake to intervene and use his widely renowned powers of persuasion to try to convince these general practitioners of their duty to the community, which they are supposed to serve?

Without commenting on some of the remarks of the hon. Gentleman, I would say that it is my policy to encourage health centre development. No pressure can be brought upon general medical practitioners to make them practise from such centres.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the public inquiry will be held into the proposal by local authorities in Carmarthenshire to establish a countryside park at Pembrey.

Arrangements have been made to hold a public inquiry on 27th March, 1973, into the Llanelli Rural District Council's application to my right hon. and learned Friend for the confirmation of the Llanelli Rural (Pembrey Country Park) Compulsory Purchase Order, 1972.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable suspicion in my constituency about the motives for calling this inquiry in the first place? Does he realise that the two private companies involved are controlled by one person and that neither has any title or ownership to any part of the land in question? Can he tell the House why this inquiry has been called?

An earlier inquiry in 1970 was concerned solely with the proposed use of the land in the Pembrey area by the Ministry of Defence. As to the suspicions to which the hon. Member refers, I would be prepared to talk to him personally about these, although I cannot add anything at the moment and would not support his anxieties.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he has assessed the availability of all types of private houses for sale in Wales; and if he will obtain and publish information as to what extent mortgages are available for the purchase of these houses.

There are about 528,000 owner-occupied houses in Wales, any one of which might become available for sale. There are no financial restrictions on local authority mortgage lending and I am not aware of any difficulties in the private sector.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the typical Welsh house buyer now earns £41 a week and makes mortgage repayments of £38 a month thus paying on average 21·4 per cent. of his income? In the face of soaring land and house prices in Wales and the difficulty of securing mortgages for wage earners, can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of Tory Government assistance to the wage earner, the young marrieds and the homeless in Wales as they endeavour, without the Government assistance which they should have, to secure a home of their own?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the position with regard to financial restrictions on local authority mortgages has been greatly improved under the present Administration. That is a point he should recognise.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of Shotton steelworks.

The Government have received the British Steel Corporation's investment proposals and are studying them urgently. It is not possible to comment on the future of individual works before this study is complete.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman fight and fight again to save steel-making at Shotton? Is he aware that this steelworks, employing 13,000 men and facing 7,000 redundancies, is the economic linch-pin of North Wales? If the Government axe falls on Shotton will he have the guts, the spunk and the spine to resign his seal of office? Will he either get out or deliver the goods?

The hon. Gentleman has had many discussions with me about this problem and he knows very well that I fully appreciate the social and regional implications in the reduction of steel-making at Shotton. He can be assured, as I have assured him before, that these matters will be fully taken into account when decisions are made.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman also bear in mind that several large steel plants in South Wales are also under a serious threat? Does he appreciate there is deep anxiety among the employees at these works, such as those at Ebbw Vale, East Moors at Cardiff and Stewarts and Lloyds at Newport, which is already under threat of closure? Will he reassure the House about the steps he is taking to alleviate anxiety among these people?

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says; there is anxiety and of course Wales is greatly dependent on steel. Naturally I wish to relieve that anxiety as soon as possible and reach a decision quickly. But big decisions are involved and they must not be rushed.

While I agree with the Secretary of State that big decisions are involved, as 70,000 of our men in Wales are engaged in the steel industry, may I ask him whether he is aware that his worth to Wales will be measured by the degree that he can protect our steel industry?

As the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, the British Steel Corporation has a duty to put forward its proposals about steel. The management of steel in this country has been vested in the corporation and it has made its proposals. The Government, taking into account all the social and economic interests, will have to come to a decision. As I have said, these are big decisions and must not be rushed.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the wretchedly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future of Brymbo steelworks.

The Government have received the British Steel Corporation's investment proposals and are studying them urgently. It is not possible to comment on the future of individual works before this study is complete.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the present time appears to be appropriate for exorcising the spectre of the hiving-off of these works conjured up by the Government, and when it is exorcised, will he not agree the employees of the British Steel Corporation at Brymbo will have been firmly convinced that they are employed by one of the more viable, not to say juicy, steelworks?

Although I appreciate fully the social and regional implications of the reduction of steel-making at Brymbo, I must point out that all these matters will be taken into account before a decision is taken on these works.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his discussions with Imperial Chemical Industries Fibres, Pontypool, relating to the future of the fibres research and technical development departments.

As soon as I heard of this regrettable closure I met senior company representatives and urged them to reconsider their plans, but they were unwilling to do so. I was assured that the rundown will be managed so as to relieve individual hardship and that the new investment of £2 million at Pontypool, which I welcome, should safeguard the future of the production plant.

Before the Secretary of State begins to accept this closure as a fact, may I ask him whether he is aware that on Harlech Television on Friday night, under interrogation by the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. John Stradling Thomas) and myself, the Chairman of the man-made fibres section of ICI, however equivocally, suggested that he was open to still further persuasion as a result of talks that are now going on? In the light of that, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, instead of being so despairing, again intervene and emphasise the social irresponsibility of a closure involving such a massive brain drain from Wales? When he does intervene, will he point out that the company will be leaving, if it does leave, nearly half a million square feet of laboratory and office space totally abandoned in Monmouthshire as a consequence of this flagrant act, so obviously against the interests of development in Wales?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that when I met representatives of the company I put forward as strongly as I could the case for retaining this research unit in Pontypool. They felt at the time that the arguments for moving were overwhelming. This is essentially a commercial decision and the Government would have no power to intervene if the company's decision was final. I am glad to hear what the hon. Gentleman says, that it is still open to persuasion.

In view of the mounting anxiety in Monmouthshire about this matter will the Secretary of State agree that he has given an incredibly complacent answer? Would he not further agree that the directors of ICI have behaved in a thoroughly diabolical and inhuman way about the whole affair? Will he look again at the many contracts which the Government have with ICI with a view, if necessary, to those contracts being transferred to Monmouthshire?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I was not being in any way complacent. I expressed my concern because I regarded this as a regrettable decision. I was happy to hear from the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) that the decision was not yet final. I assure right hon. and hon. Members that I shall do everything possible to try to persuade ICI to reverse the decision that it has announced.

In view of the statements by the Secretary of State and by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse), may we have a categorical assurance that the Secretary of State will see the chairman again and indicate to him that both sides of the House regard it as offensive that such a major concern should treat people as though they were chattels and not even discuss with them beforehand a major move of this kind?

It is my intention to see the chairman in view of the remark made by the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) reporting that he said he was still open to persuasion. I assure the House that I shall follow this up.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Welsh Hospital Board has received its working party's final report on children in hospital in Wales; and what action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the interim report made in May, 1971.

The Welsh Hospital Board will consider the Report of the Working Party on Children in Hospital in Wales at its meeting on 8th November. The interim report was circulated to hospital management committees, their staffs and other interested organisations as a discussion document. The observations made on it have been taken into account in the preparation of the final report.

I am glad to hear that the final report has at last appeared, but was not the reason for the interim report that many of the recommendations were urgent? Today, 18 months later, is it not time that they were implemented, especially those concerned with the visiting of children in hospital and the availability of beds for mothers with children in hospital?

I agree that the matter is urgent. I welcome the board's initiative in setting up the inquiry and I look forward to receiving in due course its advice on the report's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Forestry Commission in Wales regarding the proposed extension of opencast mining at Abernant, Aberdare.

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that his reply is more than a little disturbing since, over the years, my constituents have had quite enough environmental pollution and that any further extension of opencast mining, especially if it is associated with pit closures which throw hundreds of men out of work, will add insult to injury? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware, further, that on the site in question there are many hundreds of oak and other fine trees which no amount of reclamation by the Opencast Executive will be able to restore?

I have noted what the hon. Gentleman has said. He will appreciate that the authorisation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry would be required before opencast mining could take place and that I would be consulted before a decision was taken. The National Coal Board has not yet applied for an authorisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many officials will be seconded from his Department to represent Welsh interests in Brussels following the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community.

Staff who go to work in the European Commission will be servants of the Commission and not representatives of any national interest. Welsh Office officials are already in regular contact with Brussels and satisfactory arrangements exist to ensure that the interests of Wales are fully taken into account in the formulation of United Kingdom policy in the European Community. These will be reinforced if it should prove necessary.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that there will be Welsh officials permanently in Brussels? Is he aware that this is of cardinal importance to Wales in view of the need for a strong regional policy? If these arrangements are not agreed already, will he discuss the matter with his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and with his right lion. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is the new Minister for Europe, because these matters are causing increasing concern in the Principality?

I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman is referring to Welsh officials in the Commission. As I said, any officials in the Commission would be the servants of the Commission. As for our own delegation, one does not have regional interests, either Scottish or Welsh, represented on it. It is a United Kingdom delegation. As for individuals, I anticipate that many Welsh men and women, including some members of my Department, will respond to the recent advertisements of vacancies within the European Economic Commission. In my own Department, as the House knows, I have set up a new division to co-ordinate the Department's European work. The division is already in regular contact with Brussels. I regard this arrangement as the best one for safeguarding Welsh interests. Two of my Department's senior officials are spending four days in Brussels this week meeting both Commission and Community officials.

What evidence did the right hon. and learned Gentleman, as Secretary of State for a region of Great Britain, give to the Prime Minister before be went to the recent summit meeting in Paris? The only evidence we have of the kind of representations which were made by the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the Prime Minister was the very superficial piece of political confidence trickery when the Prime Minister came back and said that he had obtained certain regional safeguards. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman now spell out those safeguards, since otherwise many doubts will remain in the minds of many hon. Members and of their constituents?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman knows how the Government machine works. I, as Secretary of State for Wales, was on the European Committee of the Cabinet which dealt with all these matters before my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister went to Brussels.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy regarding applications for railway closures in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned to ensure that a most thorough examination is made of all the social and economic implications of any proposal affecting the railway services in the Principality.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the recently published plan for the future railway system of the United Kingdom? Does he think that the industrial development that he hopes will take place in Wales can take place if the railway system proposed in the plan for Wales is carried out? Will he now undertake that no approval of cuts will be carried through as are proposed in the plan for Wales?

The hon. Gentleman must not make remarks which mislead. There was no "recently published plan" for the future of the railway system. The plan to which he is referring, and to which so many hon. Members have paid so much heed, was one of a series of studies taking place in a Government Department and no decisions have been taken at all on any of the conclusions reached by any of that series of studies.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that these studies, which presumably are eventually to form the basis of decisions, should be published so that hon. Members from Wales and others concerned should know the grounds on which arguments for and against are being made? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bring influence to bear on the Secretary of State for the Environment to publish these studies?

The hon. and learned Gentleman will appreciate that internal studies in a Government Department would not be published. The position is that no rail passenger service in the country may be withdrawn without the consent of the Secretary of State for the Environment, and every opportunity is given for a full expression of views. I am, of course, consulted before any decisions are taken affecting Wales.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. 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 if he will request the Graham Rees committee on transport in Wales to make an interim report on Welsh railways.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 17th October.—[Vol. 843, c. 77.]

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recollect that when he announced to the Welsh Grand Committee on 15th December last the setting up of the Graham Rees committee, he gave the impression that it would be the report of this comprehensive study that would be the basis of strategic decisions to be made in Wales in regard to transport? Was he at that time the victim himself of a deceit in that he did not know that this plan was being prepared by the Department of the Environment, or was he perpetrating a deceit on the members of the Welsh Grand Committee in that he knew about the plan but gave them no inkling of its existence?

There was no deceit whatever. I announced the setting up not of a Graham Rees committee but of a study being undertaken by Professor Graham Rees for the Welsh Council, and I announced that the money entailed would be provided. That was what I announced to the Welsh Grand Committee. I hope I gave no other impression. It is not for me to dictate the scale or timetable of that study. It is an independent and objective study and I hope that it will not be made into a political football.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us whether he did or did not know of the existence of the other studies being made by the Department of the Environment?

I am fully aware that the Department of the Environment and British Rail have been conducting a series of studies and that to seize on one study and consider that that is to be the subject of a decision by the Government shows that the hon. Gentleman is wholly remote from the processes of Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the recent exercise of his oversight powers as they relate to transport matters in Wales.

I am in constant touch with my colleagues about all matters relating to transport in Wales and no decisions affecting the Principality are taken without full consultation with me.

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman is indeed in such constant touch, was he in constant touch on 15th December last when he made his announcement about the Graham Rees committee? Was the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the study published in the Sunday Times, or did he read it for the first time then? Will he scotch the ideas in that study, which would wipe out every valley passenger service in South Wales?

I repeat what I have said. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries has explained, no decisions have been taken on the shape of the future rail network. There will be full consultation before future policy is decided upon once the present studies have been completed.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman owes it to the House to be more frank and forthcoming. Is he aware that he is giving the impression of trying to hide behind this question? Was he aware on 15th December of the proposal that was leaked to the Press? If he was, is he further aware that he is open to the charge of deliberately misleading the Welsh Grand Committee?

I admire the right hon. Gentleman for the tortuous way he approaches any of these problems. The position is that I was aware that these studies were taking place but I was not aware of an individual study. It has been explained to the House that this paper was one of a series of studies being prepared both in the Department of the Environment and also by British Rail, that no decision has been taken by the Government in respect of future rail services and that when a decision is taken as far as Wales is concerned I will be fully consulted. We will take into account all the representations being made and the Welsh Council will be consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he has assessed the present and future railway service requirements of Wales; and from what sources he has received advice in relation to this matter.

The needs of Wales are kept under regular review. In this, as in other matters, I receive advice from a variety of sources.

lf, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said, he was consulted about the recently publicly leaked report from the Department of the Environment, has he, on behalf of Wales, stated his objection to the implementation of the proposals in the Cabinet? Has he been consulted about the map which is extant at Strasbourg showing the railway services of the Nine and indicating much worse rationalisation for Wales than is contained in the Department of the Environment report? Will he, on behalf of Wales, fight for the retention of the existing railway services in Wales which are so important in industrial, social and employment terms?

I am well aware of the anxiety which the hon. Gentleman feels about the future of rail services in Wales, and I have read his recent speech in the House, but he must not say that I have stated that I have been consulted about the publicly leaked report. As I have said, I was aware that studies were being made, but I did not see any individual report. No decision will be taken about railway services in Wales without consultation with me and without full consideration of all the implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when work is due to begin on reconstruction of the A.55 at Northop in Flintshire.

I expect work to start within the next three months.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this reply will give intense satisfaction in the village of Northop, where there has lately been a number of very serious accidents which caused grave apprehension in the neighbourhood? The Government's new, generous and sensible proposals for compensation will greatly relieve the minds of those liable to be affected by any realignment of the road.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will modify departmental rules of governing the sale to disabled persons of invalid carriages.

All matters relating to help for disabled persons are treated with particular sympathy, but I see no necessity to amend the departmental procedures to which the hon. Gentleman refers.

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that, in a recent case which is evidence of many more cases, a disabled person was given 14 days in which to pay the purchase price of a three-wheeled vehicle for the disabled that he was being offered? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that disabled people, who are in a lower income group generally in our society, deserve a somewhat longer period in which to pay the purchase price of such vehicles?

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to a case on which he and I have had correspondence, I would point out to him that we have consistently shown our desire to help his constituent by exceptionally agreeing to the sale. The price agreed upon was generous and the gentleman concerned has expressed his appreciation in a letter dated 25th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ask the Welsh Council to carry out a survey on the effects upon the Welsh economy of abolishing the regional employment premium.

No, Sir. The council has already given me its views on the future of the premium.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer is predictable but disappointing. Will he tell the House whether it is the view of the Welsh Office—his Department—that the abolition of the regional employment premium will be beneficial or detrimental to the Welsh economy?

I do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman means. The view of the Welsh Office is the view which I expressed as Secretary of State for Wales. I accept that the premium has no doubt been of some value to Wales, but its impact cannot be isolated. What matters is the value of the total package of incentives, and the incentives which the Government have announced are now particularly attractive.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authorities in Wales have refused to implement the Housing Finance Act, 1972.

Of the 168 local housing authorities in Wales, three have informed me that they still do not intend to implement the Housing Finance Act.

Does the Secretary of State realise that the names of Bedwas and Machen, Merthyr Tydfil and Vaynor and Penderyn read, for thousands of people in Wales, as a roll of honour? Does he recall that in the account of the Downing Street talks which ceased last week it is reported that the Prime Minister was prepared to make concessions after acknowledging the pressures that will result from the implementation of the Housing Finance Act? In the light of that, will the Secretary of State concede the claims made by these local authorities and declare the rents which they currently charge to be fair rents?

The three authorities to which the hon. Gentleman has referred have been in touch with me. Representatives of Merthyr Tydfil were seen by my hon. Friend the Minister of State last Friday and I believe that further meetings will take place. Vaynor and Penderyn will be having a meeting on 9th November, and I hope that Bedwas and Machen will reconsider the attitude they have adopted, no doubt supported by very misguided people.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend take note of the incitement by the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) to local authorities to violate the law? Is he in a position to estimate the number of needy families which have been deprived of a rent rebate because of the doctrinaire refusal by these authorities to implement the Housing Finance Act?

In the areas of all the authorities referred to by the hon. Gentleman there are many people who would benefit from the rebate allowances in the Act. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will be guided by his right hon. Friend who has given very sensible advice to all the local authorities in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the implications for Wales of the report of the Forestry Commission.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the consultative document on forestry policy issued by the Government in June. Consultations on this are still in progress and all the implications for Wales will be taken fully into account before decisions are reached.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the people of Wales that the invaluable work of the Forestry Commission will not be eroded to the benefit of private woodlands owners and at the expense of the Forestry Commission?

I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that the work of the Forestry Commission in many aspects has been highly successful, but I hope that he will not be too derogatory about the work of private owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Council regarding the letting of advance factories in Wales.

I keep in close contact with the Welsh Council on all matters related to employment in Wales.

Is the Welsh Council satisfied about the presence in Wales of empty advance factories scattered throughout the Principality? In my constituency there are two such empty factories. One was previously tenanted under the Labour Government and one has been empty for more than two years. What is the Secretary of State doing about it?

I am myself concerned about empty factories, advance or otherwise, in Wales. Of the three vacant Government-owned factories in the Rhondda, the Department of Trade and Industry is negotiating with a prospective tenant for one and with a prospective purchaser for another. Last October three advance factories were allocated in Fishguard, Aberdare and Llanelli and two out of four nursery factories at Lampeter have been allocated.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to encourage horticultural production in Wales.

Our present arrangements provide substantial assistance to growers of horticultural produce in Wales through various schemes to help them improve their businesses and maintain their competitive position with overseas suppliers.

Is the Minister aware that there are many areas of Wales which are eminently suitable for the expansion of the horticulture industry by reason of the climate and the soil? Is he further aware that new horticulture enterprises are not eligible for grants under the Horticultural Improvement Scheme although in wide areas in Scotland and under the Highlands and Islands Development Board considerable benefits are available which are not available in Wales? Will he and his right hon. Friend discuss with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture whether Wales can have the benefits which Scotland enjoys?

I well understand what the right hon. Gentleman says about the position of new businesses. He will know from previous office that the policy of successive Governments has been to encourage the improvement of existing businesses rather than the establishment of new businesses because of the keen competition the industry faces at home and abroad. Since 1960, over £1 million has been paid to growers in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action has been taken to appoint a new consultant for the accident unit in Haverfordwest; and how many general practitioners have been recruited for permanent appointments at the hospital.

The appointment of an additional consultant has been approved and the Welsh Hospital Board is discussing the detailed working arrangements with the hospital management committee. Nine local general practitioners work at the hospital on a sessional basis but none has been recruited for permanent appointments.

Although the appointment has been approved, no consultant is actually working in the hospital. As 18 months have passed since the Report and people's lives are daily at stake, will my bon. Friend give the matter his personal attention and do his best to ensure that the problems are overcome?

Yes, I give that assurance. The appointment of a new consultant will make necessary changes in the working arrangements of other consultants and these are taking time to resolve. The hospital board is doing all it can to reach early agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what new long-term plans he has for making use of the Sully Hospital at Sully, Glamorgan.

I am awaiting the Welsh Hospital Board's proposals for the future of this hospital.

In his assessment of this problem, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that this is one of the few hospitals in Wales which has a truly international reputation, and will he ensure that at least some use is made in the future of its magnificent facilities?

I gladly pay tribute to the work that has been done at Sully. I have asked the Welsh Hospital Board to give most careful thought to the long-term future of the hospital to ensure that its full potential is realised and the maximum use made of its excellent facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give further consideration to the designation of more towns in Mid-Wales under the New Towns Act, 1965.

I keep this matter under continuous review, but have no immediate plans for designating other new towns in Mid-Wales.

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that a very substantial body of opinion in Mid-Wales—people of all shades of political views—believe that the only way in which the economic debilities of Mid-Wales can be overcome is by the injection of substantial finance from the central Government? Since under the present machinery it would appear that the only available source of finance is that provided under the New Towns Act, 1965, will he give urgent consideration to the adoption of new towns for development within that scheme?

I have noted with satisfaction the progress made in the new town; indeed its population has increased by several hundreds. A good deal has been achieved in other growth towns in Mid-Wales. For example, in Welshpool and Llandrindod there has been a marked increase in population without the assistance of a new town development corporation.

May I reinforce what has been said by the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) and ask what steps the Government have taken to implement the growth towns policy—a policy which they proclaimed they would implement two years ago?

There is a review in progress on the subject of Newtown. It is well advanced and should be substantially completed this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to reimburse those local authority tenants who will have paid more than an additional £26 in rent in this financial year.

Local authority tenants are entitled to reimbursement of rent under the Housing Finance Act, 1972, if the rents they are paying are above the fair rent determined by the rent scrutiny board.

The Minister seems to have misunderstood the Question. Under Section 63 of the Act tenants who did not pay 50p in April or who paid something less will now have to pay 75p more. Can the Minister take steps to correct this anomaly in the Act?

In some cases tenants will be paying rent increases of more than £26 during the current financial year, but that is subject to the statutory maximum of £1 a week.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why, in view of the fact that Detective Inspector Ronald Larby was found guilty of several offences whilst serving in the police force, that he then resigned, that prima-facie evidence exists and was submitted to the authorities in January, February, March and July, 1972, by Mrs. K. Bruce of Essex showing that ex-Detective Inspector Larby was guilty of unlawful entry and theft, the Director of Public Prosecutions refuses to prosecute.

No, Sir. This matter has been fully considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions who has come to the conclusion that the evidence is not strong enough to justify criminal proceedings for unlawful entry or theft, and I agree with his opinion.

Did the Attorney-General look at these papers personally? Is he aware that this detective-inspector has an unsavoury record, has committed criminal offences and planted a gun on one of my constituents for which offence he is now serving a term of imprisonment? Is it right that the evidence which has come out since the trial should be used against a man who is now in prison because of the irregularities and illegalities of a crooked detective-inspector?

The criminal allegation to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his Question referred to that made by Mrs. Bruce. As I understand it, the allegation was that this man entered her house without permission—she was a lady with whom he had been associating—helped himself to a glass of whisky and, after writing a note, left. In those circumstances the Director did not think he would prosecute.

On a point of order. Since the Attorney-General has not told the House the facts, I give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Attorney-General what further steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to reduce the delay in trying criminal cases.

There is no serious delay in trying criminal cases except in London. My noble Friend is continuing to take urgent measures to reduce the delays in London, in particular by the provision of additional court rooms.

In view of the great increase in crime which has occurred since the present Government have been in office, is there not a case for substantially increasing the number of courts in the London area to try these cases? Is it satisfactory that people who are acquitted are sometimes remanded in custody for four to six months?

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should have preface his supplementary question with that comment. If I may return to the serious part of the question he posed, I agree that there is a problem in London: whereas the period outside London in regard to somebody awaiting trial might be only six or seven weeks, in London it is about 14 weeks. There has been the provision of 31 court rooms in the last two years and a further 10 will be brought into operation next year. In addition, 15 judges and 17 recorders have been appointed to the circuit. Nevertheless, there is a problem and it must receive urgent attention.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the future payment of interest to the United Kingdom holders of Rhodesian Government stock subsequent to the recent High Court judgment.

The High Court decided that a person claiming to be interested in Southern Rhodesia 6 per cent. stock 1976–79 and interest thereon may present a petition of right in England against the Crown under Section 20 of the Colonial Stock Act, 1877. No question as to liability in respect of payment of interest to persons claiming to be interested in Southern Rhodesia Government stocks was decided in those proceedings.

Since legal proceedings take a long time and as many elderly people have been adversely affected by the blocking of Rhodesian funds, will my right hon. and learned Friend consult his colleagues to see whether funds could be released at least to those over the age of 60 who are in need?

This is a matter of policy for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I will draw his attention to my hon. Friend's remarks.