Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Is my hon. Friend aware that considerable disquiet has been expressed that the further development of Cwmbran may have an adverse effect in North Gwent and thus add to its depopulation problem?
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Does the Secretary of State realise that, while Labour Members welcome the announcement about Shotton and East Moors, the statement will cause anger and dismay to the people of Ebbw Vale and North Gwent, for whom it represents the unacceptable face of nationalisation? Does the Secretary of State realise that it will be a devastating body-blow for North Gwent, which is already reeling from the...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I am delighted, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that we are able to address you as the occupant of the Chair. We miss you greatly in our counsels but our loss is the gain of the House of Commons. Should you ever tire of your onerous duties, you would be warmly welcomed if you returned to the conflict-free peace and calm of the Welsh table. I also pay warm and sincere tribute to the speech of my right...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: While the House regrets the disturbance and the troubles in Granada, may I ask whether the Minister would agree that to some extent those troubles have been prolonged as a result of the activities and promises held out by certain politicians and newspapers in Britain that there was a possibility that independence would not be granted on Thursday? Does the Minister agree that the Government...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: If we are to have allegations and assertions may we have their source?
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Would the hon. Gentleman care to explain to the House why The Guardian, which is such a liberal and respected newspaper having written an article in terms which can only be described as inflammatory, failed even to comment on the fact that within three days the strike was over and Mr. Gairy had promised to set up a commission of inquiry?
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Mr. Thomas rose——
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. "A brief which the hon. Member has received"—that is a rather curious statement to make. I do not know whether the hon. Member would care to elaborate upon it.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: That is adding insult to injury.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I particularly welcome this debate, not only because of its subject matter but because it affords one of our rare opportunities to focus attention on the Caribbean, if only on a comparatively small part of it. We have not given the area the kind of attention in foreign affairs debates that it deserves, which is perhaps surprising because it is of increasing importance. It is significant...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I accept the hon. Gentleman's point. But that is not directly concerned with the question of independence. It is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, directed at the case of the two men who were detained by the auxiliary police.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Three men. That does not have a direct bearing upon the views of those organisations about the issue of independence. These islands, especially the smaller islands in the Caribbean such as Grenada, realise only too well that they cannot completely go it alone. For that reason they have formed economic alliances, through the Caribbean Free Trade Association and the newly formed Caricom—the...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: To my knowledge that is not the case. Let me refute it in this way. If the House wishes to look at the matter in perspective I shall give it the facts. In 1951 the Grenada Labour Party won six out of eight seats; in 1954 seven out of eight; in 1957 it won 49 per cent. of the votes cast. In the last 22 years it has lost only one election. In 1967 it won seven out of 10 seats on the...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I will ignore the hon. Gentleman's last comment which is wholly improper, and I am sure that on reflection he will regret it. If he does not want to know what is being done in Grenada perhaps he had better leave the Chamber. I am simply trying to redress the balance, as allegations have been made. I have a deep affection for the people of Grenada and for that country, which I know quite well,...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish his views on the recommendation of the Ebbw Vale task force; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that that is a most disquieting answer which portrays a complete lack of urgency on his part and on the part of the task force which was set up seven months ago? Does he not realise that decisions are required immediately? Further, is he aware that the situation in North Monmouthshire is deteriorating and is now becoming desperate? Does he agree...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Yes.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: Abertillery has not got them.
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I do not for a moment complain about the length of my hon. Friend's speech, and I should be the last to say that he has exposed himself for too long. Indeed, I am delighted at the length of his speech, having regard to the next Private Member's Bill on the Order Paper. But, seriously, will he not agree that what matters is the creation of a climate of opinion, and that is what the Bill is...
Mr Jeffrey Thomas: I should support any Bill which said, in effect, "Yes, we shall abolish sin, but not quite yet".
