asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the progress being made with measures to reverse the decline in Welsh farmers' net incomes has taken place over the past four years.

Net farm incomes in Wales fell in only one of the last four years for which figures are available. I am satisfied that adequate measures are being taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of industry

Has my hon. Friend been able to make an estimate of the likely effect of the CAP negotiations on the state of Welsh agriculture?

I think that it is too early to speculate on the final consequences of the settlement, since the negotiations are continuing, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is striving for a settlement that will provide a fair balance between the needs of producers, consumers and taxpayers and also contribute to the building of a common agricultural policy that reflects the many competing needs of the Community.

Is the Minister seriously telling the House that the hill farmers in the less favoured areas, whose incomes fell by 58 per cent. last year, are being adequately supported?

Yes, because we have improved the hill farming compensatory allowances

To what extent are farmers in Wales prejudiced or in a worse position than farmers in other parts of the EEC?

That is a very difficult question to answer. I do not think that our farmers are particularly badly placed. My right hon. Friend is determined in the current negotiations to see that British agriculture is protected and that it continues to prosper.

In the light of his answer, will the Minister explain why the incomes of farmers in Wales and Scotland are suffering particularly badly compared with the incomes of livestock farmers in the Republic of Ireland? Secondly, why is the Republic of Ireland continually being given preferential treatment for land drainage and general land improvement?

Certain national forms of support are available for agriculture. We must await the outcome of the current negotiations and see what additional support farmers in Wales require.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest number of unemployed in Wales expressed both as a percentage and as a total; and if he will make a statement.

On 12 March 1981 there were 146,781 unemployed in Wales, a rate of 13·6 per cent.

Does not those objectionable figures dramatically support the 364 university economists—including 76 professors—who say that the Government are mishandling the economy of our country? Does the Minister know that in my constituency, after 8,000 steel job losses in a year, 380 textile workers are soon to be thrown on the scrap-heap? Where are the new jobs coming from for my very angry and disillusioned constituents?

This morning I took note of the 350 or so economists who signed their own "early-day motion". I also listened to one of them on the radio. I understand that he was an adviser to the Labour Government. Perhaps that is not a particularly good qualification. I am aware of the 250 additional redundancies at the Courtaulds Greenfield works. On 9 March work recommenced on a modernisation project. I am sure that all hon. Members hope that a slimline textile works will give the industry a better future.

Will my hon. Friend ponder carefully the implications of the loss of 380 jobs at the Courtaulds Greenfield mill? Will he reflect that it is part of the process of modernisation? Can my hon. Friend envisage any way of avoiding the continuation of such a process if industry is to recover its competitiveness and thus provide the wealth to finance the expansion of the economy and, in particular, of the social services? That is the only way in which to provide the jobs needed.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. I confess that I am not particularly familiar with the Courtaulds Greenfield works. However, in 1980 there was a slimlining of the steel industry in South Wales, which led to both Llanwern and Port Talbot becoming much more competitive.

Does the Minister agree that the 146,781 unemployed to whom he referred include many who were involved in industries that had nothing to do with modernisation? People have been thrown on to the slag heap. The figure that he cited includes about 5,000 school leavers who are still on the dole queue. How many more Easter school leavers will join that dole queue as a direct consequence of the Government's actions?

Before I attempt to answer that question, I welcome the right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones) back to his place.

Is my hon. Friend aware that not so long ago an additional £20 million was granted by the EEC for the steel and coal closure areas, which will probably create an extra 4,000 jobs? Is he also aware that the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Jones) is seeking to deny Wales the prospect of more jobs by his stance of supporting the official Labour Party?

There can be no doubt that membership of the EEC is vital for the retention of many jobs and for the creation of others in Wales.

Does the Minister recall the forecast made by the economics department in Bangor a year ago to the effect that unemployment in Wales would increase to over 170,000? Does he now accept that forecast?

As is the custom of those who speak from this Dispatch Box, I have no intention of making any forecast. I shall certainly not accept anybody else's forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the pupil to teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales at the most recent count; and how this compares with the ratio in 1979.

The ratio was 21·9 to 1 in January 1980 compared with 22 to 1 the previous year.

Is the current ratio a record?

The pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales is, indeed, a record.

Will the Minister comment on the anomaly of a comprehensive school in South Glamorgan which has a pupil-teacher ratio of between 13 and 14 to 1, whilst comparable schools in other parts of Wales have a pupil-teacher ratio of between 16 and 17 to 1?

The original question was about pupil-teacher ratios in primary schools, but I am happy to reply to the hon. Gentleman's question. The difference between the pupil-teacher ratio in a school in South Glamorgan and that in Dyfed, for example, could be due to falling school rolls. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that it is not easy to transfer teachers from one school to another and from one authority to another.

Is not the Minister's answer thoroughly undermined by the report presented to him by the inspectorate, which made it clear that last year only one authority in Wales succeeded, overall, in improving its pupil-teacher ratio? In all other authorities the overall pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced.

Once again we have strayed from the subject of primary schools into general education. I can inform the hon. Gentleman that the pupil-teacher ratio for all schools in Wales is 18 to 1. Again, that is a record.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further progress he has made towards the establishment of a Welsh Resource Centre.

We have no plans to set up a Welsh Resource Centre, but the feasibility of so doing is being studied as part of a research project set up by the Wales TUC. We have made a grant of £40,000 towards the cost of this study.

Would not the establishment of a Welsh Resource Centre be an ideal way of channelling private funds into future investment in the Principality? Do not the TUC's suggestion and the Government's gracious grant towards the feasibility study show that there is greater awareness and cohesion within Wales and that the TUC is prepared to work with the Government towards the prosperity of Wales? Is that not a welcome advance, upon which the Government could build? It is not necessarily only the Opposition who can co-operate with the Wales TUC.

The Welsh Resource Centre does not exist, but a feasibility study is being conducted by the Wales TUC with the help of a grant from the Welsh Office. There can be no question but that the relationship between the Government and the Wales TUC is excellent. That is demonstrated in many ways, and not least by the splendid work on inward investment done by the chairman of the Wales TUC when he accompanied my right hon. Friend to Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total of investment in Wales since 1972 by firms based outside the United Kingdom; and how many jobs in Wales have been created by this inward investment.

Investment by overseas-based manufacturing firms in Wales since 1972 is known to be in excess of £500 million. The projects in question currently provide over 11,000 jobs.

Does not that illustrate the importance of continuing to attract such investment, particularly when a very small amount—less than 10 per cent. of public expenditure—goes into investment from our own resources? Is it not clear that if we were to withdraw from the EEC such investment would dry up altogether? Britain, and particularly Wales, is attractive to foreign investors as a means of access to the EEC.

I have no doubt that overseas firms are interested in Wales because of our membership of the EEC. The Ford plant at Waterton in South Wales is an excellent example. It is irresponsible to talk about withdrawal, because it would cost many jobs.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that, although the referendum campaign received multinational sponsorship, some of us were prepared to judge the Common Market on its merits? Does not the evidence show that the decision to join the Common Market was the most disastrous one to be taken by any post-war British Government?

It is generous of the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Hughes) to judge the matter on its merits.

Does the figure given by the Minister include the £10 million for the development of the massive Hoover factory at Merthyr—a factory designed to produce goods for the Common Market, but which to date has produced nothing? Does the figure also include the investment which has been made since 1972 but which has been aborted as a direct consequence of the Government's actions? Will the hon. Gentleman, who is obviously a keen student of the newspapers, say whether he has seen the study conducted by University College, Bangor, which shows that the effect of the Budget on Wales will mean unemployment of 200,000 by the end of this year? If the hon. Gentleman does not want to make any forecast, may I ask whether he has any reason to believe that that figure of 200,000 will not be reached?

I have no intention of making any forecast of unemployment at any point in future.

Does the Minister agree that inward investment in Wales in recent years would have been better if the Welsh infrastructure, particularly communications, had been better? If so, will he have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to implementing an immediate programme to develop the Welsh infrastructure?

There can be no question but that investment would have been greater if our infrastructure over the last few decades had been better. The Government are doing all that they can to ensure that the road programme is maintained. Advance factories are also being set up. I think that we are doing a good job in that respect in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish the report of the Welsh Health Technical Services Organisation on the defects in the construction of the University of Wales Heath hospital; what are the estimated costs of the needed remedial work; what steps are being taken to recover such costs from those responsible for the defective work; and whether he will make a statement.

The firm of consultant engineers commissioned to carry out a structural survey of the University Hospital of Wales building has prepared a draft interim report which I do not propose to publish, but which estimates the costs of the recommended remedial work at £6·29 million. The question of liability is under consideration by our legal advisers.

Why will the Minister not publish the interim report? Will he assure us that he will at least publish the final report, as taxpayers' money is involved, and because from the beginning there has been concern about the way that the decision was made and the inadequate supervision? If legal proceedings are pending, and if, by discovery, any potential defendent can get access to the report, why is there a cover up at this stage and a refusal, in effect, to make the full facts known to the community?

There is no cover up. The publication of the final report will be considered when it is received. As liability issues are under consideration, I shall need to be sure that publication either of the interim report or of the final report will not prejudice any contemplated legal action. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, with his legal knowledge, will understand that.

Will the Minister ensure that, despite the vast sum of money that is to be expended on this hospital in Cardiff, other projects throughout Wales will not suffer? We have had this difficulty in the past.

It is a tragedy that this has happened, but the situation is beginning to improve. Work is already planned to the tune of £500,000, and that is included in capital spending for the coming year. I shall seek to ensure that the necessary work is phased so that the capital programme for Wales as a whole is not adversely affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest percentage figures of unemployment in Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan and Wales, respectively; and what action is proposed to improve employment prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage increase in the number of persons unemployed in the Mid-Glamorgan area since May 1979; and what action he proposes to take to reduce this figure.

The unemployment rates in Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan and Wales on 12 Match 1981 were 15·6, 14·4, and 13·6 per cent. respectively. Between May 1979 and March 1981 the level of unemployment in Mid-Glamorgan increased by 80·2 per cent.

Did the hon. Gentleman say 80 per cent?

It is 80·2 per cent. I am sorry that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Rowlands) cannot hear. The employment prospects for these areas and the country as a whole depend upon reducing inflation and creating conditions in which industry can compete successfully.

Is that not proof that the Government's economic and industrial policies are disastrous? Unemployment is increasing by more than 1 million per year. When the Prime Minister reiterates that there are no alternative policies, will she look at the documents issued by the Wales TUC, the British TUC, the CBI, the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs and the Select Committee on the Treasury and Civil Service, because they have said that monetarist policies will not work and will have disastrous consequences?

Some of the amalgams of those policies were put forward in a recent debate in the House by the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore), and the cost was analysed. That did not prove to be an attractive possibility.

Does the Minister agree that the increase of more than 80 per cent. in unemployment in less than two years is deplorable? Does he further agree that that figure is likely to be exacerbated by the cuts in rail services in the valleys, which come into effect this day? Does he further agree that the ability of people to travel to work and the attractiveness of the Welsh valleys in terms of future industry depend upon the existence of viable rail services? Is he aware of the demonstrations taking place this day by railway employees in South Wales who have been asked to implement the new timetables? Will he seek—

Order. The hon. Gentleman has asked four questions. I think that the Minister should answer them now.

I deplore unemployment in Mid-Glamorgan as much as I do in any other part of Wales or the United Kingdom. Unemployment has seriously affected Mid-Glamorgan for a long time. There is no dispute about the need to improve the infrastructure to ensure that the valleys are prosperous.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Opposition's hypocrisy is stunning? Is he aware that 100,000 people in Wales were made redundant under the Labour Government between 1974 and 1979? Is he further aware that 53,000 coal miners have been made redundant in Wales under Labour Governments since the war? Finally, is he aware that the rise in unemployment in Wales in the past 12 months was only 59 per cent. which compares favourably with 69 per cent. as a United Kingdom average?

Order. This is a time for questions, not speeches.

My hon. Friend's questions show that the problems associated with unemployment did not start 18 months ago.

Given the staggering figure of 80 per cent. unemployment since May 1979, will the Minister restore special development area status to those parts of Mid-Wales from which it has been taken away?

All areas of high unemployment in Wales are constantly being considered for regional area status. However, we recognise that aid should be concentrated on areas such as Ebbw Vale or Bargoed, where unemployment is highest.

It was remiss of me not to thank the hon. Gentleman earlier for his kind remarks about me.

I am certain that many people in Wales recognise that over a long period previous Governments took an easy option. The Government have had to do something which may not be popular, but which, we believe, will bring prosperity to the whole of the United Kingdom.

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 whether he is satisfied that the common agricultural policy provides an adequate arrangement to benefit Welsh farmers and Welsh consumers.

The Government believe that membership of the European Community is essential for the well-being of the economy but will continue to press for changes in the CAP which will benefit consumers and taxpayers while safeguarding the interests of producers.

We all believe that membership of the Community is important, but is the Welsh consumer currently satisfied with having to pay four times as much for his or her butter, three times as much for his or her beef and twice as much for his or her cereals as world market prices? Are the Welsh people as a whole satisfied with having to pay higher prices than they need to? Would not the Welsh farmer prefer to get his agricultural support from the United Kingdom rather than from the CAP, whereby we pay, not only for agricultural support for our own farmers, but for many Continental farmers as well?

My hon. Friend is suggesting a return to deficiency payments. He was not in the Chamber when I said in answer to a previous question that it was a little early to speculate about the results of the current negotiations. I said that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will bear in mind the needs of consumers as well as those of producers and taxpayers.

As it is the Government's stated policy to defeat inflation, whatever that means, will the Minister give an assurance that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will veto all price increases in Brussels at the present price fixing review, especially for products in surplus? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Tory Party's manifesto said that a Conservative Government would do so?

I would not deign to interfere with the negotiations that my right hon. Friend is conducting.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had any recent discussions with officials of the British Steel Corporation concerning retraining courses for redundant Welsh steel workers.

The Welsh Office maintains close and regular contact with officials of the British Steel Corporation on all matters concerning the corporation's activities in Wales.

Despite that close co-operation, does the Minister appreciate that there is considerable resentment among redundant steel workers at the delay in the payments they were promised after being made redundant and about the courses that have been made available, especially the welding course at Port Talbot which 60 men from Newport are attending? Will the hon. Gentleman promise to investigate these issues?

As for the delay in the payment of redundancy terms, it was ever thus. When East Moors steel workers were made redundant, I received many complaints from them about delay. If the hon. Gentleman sends me details I shall ensure that the complaints are taken up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry. I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's concern about the Midland welding school at Port Talbot. I understand that he has written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, who is considering the matter. There is nothing further that I can add now.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, thanks partly to aid from the Coal and Steel Community, the provisions for retraining redundant steel workers are, on the whole, satisfactory? Is he further aware that it is the employees of the private steel firms who are now feeling the draught, who do not receive such generous redundancy payments?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for pointing that out. I was aware of it but I am not sure that every hon. Member is equally aware of the contribution of the Coal and Steel Community.

Will the Minister consider the laggardly payments to hundreds of my constituents who were formerly steel workers? Is he aware that this delay is part of the general complaint that my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Hughes) outlined in his supplementary question? is the hon. Gentleman further aware that there have been delays in the payment of travelling expenses to redundant steel workers who are attending skill centres?

I shall look into that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will provide me with the necessary details.

In the close contacts that the Minister suggests that he has with the corporation will he ensure that the corporation does not grant to an American mining company a contract worth £50 million over the next three years for further coal imports? When he is taking part in the discussions with the corporation, will he remind it that, as the National Coal Board buys British steel, the corporation should buy British coal?

The main question relates to retraining courses for Welsh steel workers but I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that I shall draw the attention of the British Steel Corporation to what he says.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that there is no duplication of function between the Welsh Development Agency and the industrial section of the Welsh Office which leads to unnecessary bureaucracy and the delaying in processing applications for financial assistance by industrialists.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that when companies come to new factories in Wales, few though those be these days, they may have to approach both the Welsh Development Agency for the factory and the industrial department of the Welsh Office for grants? There is an independent vetting system for the two applications. If the applications run in sequence rather than in parallel, that can lead to considerable delays and can jeopardise projects as well as involving additional bureaucracy. Will the hon. Gentleman carry out an investigation into the independent vetting systems?

I know what the hon. Gentleman has in mind. We have had conversations about Anon Microelectronics Ltd. However, we must remember that the roles of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency are different. The Welsh Office is concerned with grants that have to be approved by WIDAB. The Welsh Development Agency is concerned with giving loans on a commercial basis. The criteria are different. It is for companies to ensure that the applications either for grant or loan run concurrently. That is a matter for them rather than for me.

Is not my hon. Friend saddened to think that the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) has not bothered to read the Select Committee's report on employment in Wales, which analysed these matters quite fully and made recommendations?

I do not know whether the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) has read the report. However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that progress is being made with Arfon Microelectronic Ltd. I wrote to its managing director today to tell him that the firm may go ahead with the project, without prejudice, of course, to any grant that may be made later by the Welsh Office.

Is it not a fact that many other recommendations set out in the Select Committee's report have not been implemented by the Government? In view of the mass of closures, liquidations and bankruptcies, will the Government ensure that the WDA and the Welsh Office intervene to prevent further closures in Wales?

The Welsh Office and the WDA work closely together.

Will my hon. Friend direct his attention to the delay in the payment of regional development grants? I appreciate that the Government's stance is that no exceptions can be made. However, is he aware that in some circumstances future investments in Wales might be lost because of the delay in making payments? Will he consider this factor carefully with my right hon. Friend with a view to providing that in certain circumstances some exceptions can be made?

If my hon. Friend has any specific instances in mind, I shall be happy to consider any written submissions that he makes to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress of the road building programme in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Our programme for trunk road improvement in Wales was set out in "Roads in Wales 1980" published last December.

Is the Minister aware of the concern of my constituents about the Llanidloes and Welshpool bypasses? Is he aware that Llanidloes is scheduled to start in 1987? Is he further aware that the lack of firm proposals for the bypass means that the development of the industrial part of Llanidloes is being severely restrained? Does he realise that the social structure of Welshpool and its industrial development is being held back because of the doubts about the potential development of the Welshpool bypass? Does he—

Order. There must be something in the air in Montgomeryshire.

Dealing with Llanidloes bypass, I am aware of the recent representations from the town council and Powys county council about the bypass scheme, but it has not been given high priority. We have received a substantial number of objections to our proposals on the Welshpool bypass and those are currently being considered. I shall undertake to consider any suggestions made by my hon. Friend.

Is the Under-Secretary satisfied that the road building programme of the Welsh Office takes into account the implications of the Armitage report? Will he investigate the effect that heavy lorries might have on the A5, the A55 and the A470 in Gwynedd where the county council is seriously worried, especially about the dry stone walls which may crumble as a result?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I shall look into the matter without delay.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the widespread approval in Wales for the high priority that has been given to the trunk road building programme in a period of necessary Government economy?

Necessary for whom?

We regard the trunk road programme as essential to the infrastructure of the Principality.

Will the hon. Gentleman give more urgent attention to the A465 road, as that gives access to the Rheola works, which is threatened by closure, a proposal that is being resisted most vigorously? Will he ensure that the road is developed so that the works has a future?

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's concern about the A465. I have arranged to meet representatives of the West Glamorgan county council next month to discuss the scheme. At this stage I do not want to anticipate the outcome of that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in his discussions with the National Coal Board in Wales, consideration has been given to further investment in the anthracite sector of the South Wales coalfield.

In all his discussions with the National Coal Board my right hon. Friend takes account of prospests for future investment in the South Wales coalfield, including anthracite.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from opencast mining, there is a distinct shortage of top-class anthracite coal in South Wales? Is he aware that the National Union of Mineworkers is keen on reopening the Cwmgwili colliery, involving an investment of £5 million, to reach a deep deposit of coal underneath the villages of Llanarthney and Ty-Croes?

I am aware of the shortage of British-mined anthracite, despite the splendid record established at the Bettws colliery recently. It is a question of further investment by the National Coal Board. I shall draw its attention to that.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he accepts the conclusions of "The Effect on the Education Service in Wales of Recent Local Authority Expenditure Policies: An Assessment by Her Majesty's Inspectors."

I have noted the report and accept the overall conclusion that the fabric of education in schools is intact.

Does the Minister accept the situation whereby the majority of schools now require parents to contribute to their children's education?

Parental contribution did not start last year or the year before. It has been commonplace in Welsh education. I have no doubt that it will continue and that parental contributions will be used as valuable additions towards school equipment.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, despite the serious matters that we are discussing, only six Opposition Members of the 23 from Wales are present? Does he share my disgust at the lack of representation from the Principality?

Look at the quality.

If the hon. Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) looks behind him he will see what that quality consists of.

Gower asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of factories now under construction in Wales; how many are being constructed by the Welsh Development Agency and by the Development Board for Rural Wales, respectively; and how many are sited within the area of the Vale of Glamorgan council and within the area of South Glamorgan county council, respectively.

The Welsh Development Agency is building 423 factories, including five bespoke units, and the Development Board for Rural Wales is building 32 factories. In the area of South Glamorgan county council the WDA has 40 factories under construction of which 13 are within the Vale of Glamorgan district. Details of private sector building are not readily available.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the extent of that ambitious programme is appreciated? Is he satisfied that, in view of the size of the programme, the Welsh Development Agency will not be hampered by a lack of suitable staff in certain categories?

I am not aware of difficulties of the type that my hon. Friend has mentioned. Certainly no underspend is anticipated, either on the special programme for Port Talbot and Llanwern or on factory building generally. Staffing is a matter for the authority.

Despite the fact that large numbers of factories have been vacated because of the closure of firms, will the Government continue their policy of building new advance factories so that when the economic upturn comes manufacturers will be attracted to the area to provide the right jobs?

Top priority is being given now to finding tenants for the massive 4 million sq. ft. of Government factory space that is already available, under construction or planned throughout Wales. Despite the recession, 131 advance factories were let in Wales last year—almost equal to the previous year's record level.

While I welcome the amount of advance factory building in Wales, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he agrees that serious consideration must be given by the Welsh Development Agency to expanding its facilities in the investment and loans sphere so that it can play a full part—together with the other welcome measures that were introduced by my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget—in assisting small businesses in Wales?

I am sure that the agency and its officers will note the helpful remarks of my hon. Friend.

Will the Minister contact the Welsh Development Agency and investigate whether there is any way of speeding up the letting of factories? Is he aware that last week I received complaints about the slowness of letting, which concerns industrialists?

If the hon. Gentleman has had complaints, as he suggests, I should be grateful if he would send them to me so that I may investigate them with the agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress of the Government's housing strategy in Wales.

As I told the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 2 March, no Minister can ever be satisfied so long as there is inadequate housing anywhere in Wales. We have tried to ensure that, within the resources available, local authorities and housing associations have a sufficient allocation in 1981–82 to enable them to undertake worthwhile programmes. As those who were present last Wednesday at the Welsh Grand Committee will know, I have announced further allocations for 1981–82 totalling £7·36 million.

Is the Minister aware of the report of the directors of housing in Wales to the affect that we need a threefold increase in house building totals of last year if we are to maintain the current standards of housing? Are the Government planning, by their expenditure plans, accelerated decline in the Welsh housing stock, greater homelessness and greater unemployment in our construction industry?

The hon. Gentleman will know from previous answers I have given that the trend towards reduced house building was manifest under the Labour Government. In 1975, 8,336 houses were built, in 1979 there were 4,351, a drop a nearly 50 per cent. Of course, the Government are concerned about housing in Wales but housing has had to take a reduction in capital spending. The Government have, under the Housing Act, a 10-point scheme for improving houses and for enabling local authorities to increase their housing allocations through council house sales and using that money to improve properties.

In view of the high proportion of persons in Wales who own the older types of houses, is my hon. Friend satisfied that, even though the improvement scheme has been upgraded, it is adequate to meet the peculiar needs of the Principality in that respect?

I am satisfied, because when we drafted the relevant provision of the Housing Act covering improvements, particularly improvements for sale, the interests of Wales and of owners of older properties in Wales were very much in our mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage the revival of craft industries.

My concern as Minister for the Arts is to develop the role of the artist-craftsman, so I give a grant to the Crafts Council which supports craft activities and individual craftsmen, but neither the council nor I have any general responsibility for the craft industries.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the value, commercially and culturally, of the continuance of craft industries both in urban and rural districts? Will he give the House an assurance that a more positive role will be played by those industries, because they are part of our priceless heritage?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. A great deal of support is given to the Crafts Council, significantly more than in the past. I am glad that it has a small exhibition gallery, which it plans to enlarge, and I hope that that will be of great value to individual craftsmen.

Is it not regrettable that the right hon. Gentleman's right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State rejected on 4 March my suggestion that he should launch an initiative to encourage the training of school leavers in the traditional crafts, and the more so because he gave as his ground the reason that market forces would work in this area? Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the suggestion a little more sympathetically than did his right hon. and learned Friend?

That is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend. I shall look at what the hon. Gentleman has said, but it is primarily a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend and not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what future support he plans for provincial museums.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of his consideration of ways of developing the role of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries to make the best use of available resources for museums.

In the past the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries has made an important contribution to the welfare of provincial museums. I am now considering how best this can be continued and improved. As I told the House in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) on 2 March, I hope to make a statement later in the year.

While we all recognise the value and importance of provincial museums, what can be done, in view of the current shortage of money, to improve the efficiency of their administration?

There has been a whole number of suggestions, of which my hon. Friend will be aware, some of which were canvassed in the Drew report last year. Jam studying all those suggestions in the hope that we can make progress and that I shall be able to make a statement to the House in the not too distant future.

When carrying out that study, will my right hon. Friend also look at the possibility of slightly more selective expenditure in support of regional museums?

I shall look at that, but I suspect that there are many minefields along that route. Everyone thinks that his own local museum is the best.

Hear, hear.

I had better not be too selective.

Is it not a fact that £400,000 was underspent by provincial museums in 1979–80 because of the inflexibility of the rules and the absence of any established procedure for appeal to the Minister? Will the right hon. Gentleman give his personal consideration to that important problem, because he might bring about a remedy?

The hon. Gentleman is not quite accurate. If he is talking about purchases by purchase grants administered by the V and A and the Science museum, there is a good use for those funds. Of course, I am looking at that issue in my consideration of all these matters.

Will my right hon. Friend not pay too much attention to the injunction of my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Hooson)? Will he accept that in museums and arts a little money goes a very long way and that museums are among our foremost tourist attractions? What facilities has my right hon. Friend for arguing priorites with his colleagues in the Cabinet and elsewhere, bearing in mind that in my constituency alone one stretch of motorway will cost almost as much as the entire Arts Council budget for a year?

I have the same facilities as any of my colleagues. One of the things that helps me in fighting for the arts is the robust support of my hon. Friend and many other colleagues. I am sure that, with their assistance, I shall be able to continue my support for the arts. I agree with my hon. Friend that local museums are among our most precious assets and I shall do what I can to help them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what visits he has made or plans to make to the regions in connection with his responsibilities in relation to the arts and the national heritage.

I have recently visited Southampton and Merseyside and have so far about 20 engagements to all parts of the country planned for the next few months. I shall write to my hon. Friend giving details.

I thank my right hon. Friend for announcing such a robust programme. Will he ensure that the regions have a fair share of the resources allocated to the arts and that such resources are not unfairly allocated to London and the South-East?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It is encouraging that the Arts Council allocates about two-thirds of its grant to activities outside London. That is different from the situation that existed 10 or 20 years ago and is an encouraging trend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he was extremely welcome in Southampton earlier this month? Will he bear in mind, on his regional trips, that there would be much merit in linking support for the arts with the work of local tourist boards, because, as he will understand from earlier supplementary questions, many of us feel that the two go together?

I have had a meeting with the English Tourist Board today and we discussed a number of ways in which we could jointly help. I shall keep my hon. Friend's point of view in mind. I found my visit to Southampton most helpful, because it it a good authority for helping the arts. I wish that others were as good.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that in France and West Germany the budgets for sales and promotion of the arts come from outside the arts councils there? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, however excellent and professional may be the quality of the arts, unless they can be properly sold and promoted there is not much point in providing money for them?

I am not sure that I go as far as that, but it is important that they should be sold and promoted correctly. That is one point which the ETB made to me. There is a lot to be said for that, particularly as regards local museums. I accept a great deal of what the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will ask the chairman of the Arts Council to include in his annual report an account of the volume and nature of the complaints received each year and any action taken in consequence.

It is for the Arts Council to determine the contents of its annual report but I shall naturally pass on to the chairman my hon. Friend's suggestion.

As the Home Secretary imposes such a condition on the BBC and the IBA, would it not be entirely appropriate for a similar condition to be put on the Arts Council which, in many ways, plays a similar role? Would that not be a salutary reminder of its obligations to the wider public, which pays through its rates and taxes for Arts Council grant-aided activities, compared with the much smaller numbers who directly benefit from State support of the arts?

A great number of people, far more than the House may realise, benefit from State support for the arts, through museums, music, theatre, drama, pictures and all sorts of activities. However, I am not unsympathetic to my hon. Friend's suggestion, which has a great deal of good sense in it.

Perhaps there is some merit in the suggestion of the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) and perhaps that matter should be considered, but, since there appears to be a general campaign of vilification against the Arts Council, primarily by the supposed quality papers, will the right hon. Gentleman take an opportunity of standing up for the Arts Council and explaining that it is the best way of organising the arm's-length funding of arts activities throughout the country?

I certainly believe it to be the best way, and that has been the view of all my predecessors from both parties. The public gets extremely good value for money, in the variety of ways that we have been discussing, from support for the arts.

Will my right hon. Friend have a word with the chairman of the Arts Council about entirely inappropriate expenditure and will he take on hoard the suggestion that the Arts Council may have given some money towards a Marxist bookshop in Mid-Warwickshire?

I do not know about that case. If my hon. Friend gives me details I shall take up the matter. I reiterate that there will be cases at the margin that may give rise to legitimate concern. I understand my hon. Friend's feeling. In general, however, people get very good value for money. The amount of interest and growth of activity in the arts over the last few years has been remarkable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he employs in allocating Government assistance to the arts between the different art forms which seek support.

My responsibilities include making allocations to the national museums and galleries and the British Library and also to the various organisations that support the different forms of the living arts, the Arts Council, the Crafts Council and the British Film Institute. All these bodies submit annual budgets which are discussed on the basis of their needs. In case of the latter group of bodies, it is its responsibility to consider its own grants to individual claimants.

If my right hon. Friend, in the course of policy development, decides to make a change in some of those allocations, will he bear in mind that many activities require much planning in advance and that abrupt changes would be unhelpful? I appreciate that my right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the individual allocations of the Arts Council. Is there not possibly a lesson that could be learnt, not about decisions but about the abruptness with which decisions are implemented?

Yes, I think that my hon. Friend has a good point. The chairman of the Arts Council, when he wrote to me recently, said that there may have been cases where the policy of informing people in advance had not been adequately implemented and that he would ensure that it did not recur.

May I reinforce the point that has been made? Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Royal Shakespeare Company is experiencing great difficulty because it cannot plan more than a year ahead? It is impossible for our great national companies to operate successfully unless they cart plan ahead for a longer period than that.

I take note of what my hon. Friend says. There are a great many difficulties. The extent of the grant is not known until a quite late date. I shall consider the valid point that has been made.