Mr Peter Walker: I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows: Most Gracious Sovereign,We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament. I...
Mr Peter Walker: The last time that I had the privilege of initiating an Adjournment debate was in 1961, when I enthusiastically advocated a bypass for the village ofa Ombersley in my constituency. I am delighted to say that, 15 years later, the bypass was built. I hope that the result of this debate will be rather more speedy and that it will be more effective in its approach to a serious problem. I raise...
Mr Peter Walker: I met the chairman of British Coal on 23 April.
Mr Peter Walker: All Governments examine the best and most cost-effective fuels to use, and there is considerable pressure from all parties, including the Labour party, to examine the environmental impact of various fuels. I accept the right hon. Gentleman's view that any Government of any description must consider carefully a range of factors, including cost-effectiveness and the effect on communities, jobs...
Mr Peter Walker: I am sure that the chairman and the regional managers will examine carefully any closure proposal. There is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a proper procedure. He knows, too, that pit closures have confronted all Governments. Since 1965, there have been 96 closures, 61 under Labour Governments and 35 under Conservative Governments.
Mr Peter Walker: I can certainly convey my hon. Friend's views about the programme not being made public. Discussion may well have taken place with the local authority—which has, of course, powers over planning.
Mr Peter Walker: The hon. Lady, in the careful wording of her question, failed to mention the large reduction in unemployment in Cynon Valley during the three years that I have been Secretary of State. Although Cynon Valley might still have the worst male unemployment rate, it is now at a far lower level despite the pit closures that have taken place under all Governments. I am grateful for the nice comments...
Mr Peter Walker: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman must rejoice in the fact that although I have had to sustain a series of coal pit closures in the valleys since the valleys initiative, unemployment in Wales has gone down faster than in the remainder of the United Kingdom and in the valleys it has gone down even faster than in the remainder of Wales. There is no doubt that, desite the pit closures, there has...
Mr Peter Walker: None directly, but reference to the level of interest rates has been made by a few organisations in discussions with the Department.
Mr Peter Walker: We consult the Confederation of British Industry and the chambers of trade and commerce on all issues and I am glad to say that all the recent surveys of the Confederation of British Industry and the chambers of commerce and trade show them to be most optimistic about the future of the Welsh economy.
Mr Peter Walker: Yes. Welsh industrialists look back upon the period which started in October 1976 when interest rates were 15 per cent., inflation and taxation were massively higher than they are today, and Welsh Development Agency programmes were not on par with what they are today.
Mr Peter Walker: I only wish that the hon. Gentleman had distanced himself from his Government's policies when he was Under-Secretary of State. During his few years with the Welsh Office, unemployment went up, during mine it has gone down by 68,000; in his period of office there was a very small flow of inward investment, whereas in mine it has been massive; under the hon. Gentleman, inflation rates rose to...
Mr Peter Walker: It is too early to make an accurate estimate of the expenditure involved, but it will be high. I have made it clear that Government assistance through the Bellwin scheme is available to help local authorities in dealing with this emergency.
Mr Peter Walker: While I welcome my hon. Friend's suggestion, the best co-ordinating instrument is the Welsh Office, which is working closely with local authorities. As my hon. Friend knows, we have taken several decisions which in some senses are unique. For example, the usual Bellwin provisions provide for 75 per cent., but we have decided to raise that to 85 per cent. We have people co-ordinating aspects...
Mr Peter Walker: My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have visited the area and have seen what happened. The first provision is to meet emergency requirements. Lifting the limit to 85 per cent. is more than any previous Government have done in similar disasters, and it is the first time that a Government have contributed to an appeal when there has been no loss of human life. I have met all the local...
Mr Peter Walker: I am considering what, if any, action to take in the light of the information that I have received on the expenditure plans of Welsh local authorities for 1990–91.
Mr Peter Walker: Decisions on the future will have to wait until all the final information is received. We do not yet have it all, although we asked for it by this date. I understand my hon. Friend's concern, when expenditure in Cardiff is up 35 per cent. on 1989–90 and 60 per cent. on 1988–89.
Mr Peter Walker: Every time the hon. Gentleman speaks, whether in the Welsh Grand Committee or here, it must give great confidence to the present Labour Chief Whip that he will retain his position. I should be happy to release to the press today the scandalous leaflet issued by the hon. Gentleman and his party, which gave the impression that there would be no rebates, and that the poor, elderly and those on...
Mr Peter Walker: It is important that when examining their community charge, people should compare the current year's expenditure with that of the previous year to see by how much local authorities increased spending over the rate of inflation. That would be an interesting study. Plenty of local authorities are good examples, and others are bad examples. I hope that the electors will examine the expenditure...
Mr Peter Walker: Before increasing its expenditure by 35 per cent., every local authority should consider the implications. It is for the electors to consider the position. The reality is that there are big variations between Labour and Conservative authorities, and between the actions of various Welsh local authorities. I shall examine what must be done when all the final figures have been obtained.
