The total failure of "Wales: The Way Ahead" to appreciate the significance of the economic Crisis in Wales has been shown by research paper No.

As we face a deepening economic and social Crisis in Wales, the areas of historic deprivation are the ones which have been hardest hit - areas such as Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the valleys of South-East Wales.

I resent that deeply as a Socialist, because I think that it diverts the working people of Wales from the true nature of our Crisis in Wales - the way in which resources are wasted, abused and misused in a capitalist system.

In my view - and I believe that I have the support of all my hon. Friends and perhaps one or two Conservative Members - we are facing a Crisis in Wales, particularly in South Wales.

If we are to meet that Crisis in Wales, we need all those tools which the Government are ideologically committed to refuse.

Instead of recognising the seriousness of the unemployment figures and the industrial Crisis in Wales, the Government have repeatedly taken measures that add to our difficulties.

Does he believe that the rate support grant settlement is adequate for education, social services and housing, all of which are in a state of Crisis in Wales?

The Secretary of State should understand that that is very important for some local authorities that are particularly involved in the present Crisis in Wales.

Is he also aware of an article in the British Medical Journal of 21 November by Russell Hopkin, the unit general manager at University hospital, Cardiff, saying that we face a similar Crisis in Wales?

Mr. Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many offices of his Department in Wales Crisis loans only are now being paid from the social fund.

Some hon. Members seemed to imply - I am sure not intentionally - that the agricultural Crisis in Wales is restricted to the hill farms and to the family farms which are typical of the catchment area of the board.

I reiterate that there is a Crisis in Wales, and I suggest that the situation is also serious elsewhere.

Twenty-seven of us wrote to the Secretary of State expressing our concern and asking to meet him to discuss the police funding Crisis in Wales.

When he last met representatives of the farming unions to discuss the beef Crisis in Wales.

Finally, farming is in Crisis in Wales.

He is well aware, because he met a deputation in the House recently from all sides of Northern Ireland opinion on this matter, that although there is a Crisis in Wales, England and Scotland, our industry in Northern Ireland is on the verge of catastrophe.

There are many other issues to consider, such as the deep and wider agricultural Crisis in Wales.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that that is important, because the farming Crisis in Wales is particularly acute?

Farming is in Crisis in Wales; tourism is in crisis; and manufacturing is disappearing before our eyes.

Furthermore, what will the Bill do about the dental Crisis in Wales?

Will he look at the discussion document that we produced in January and help to open up debate across party lines to deal with that Crisis in Wales?

However, I hope that my constituents are not watching this session, because all they will be thinking about is the cost of living Crisis in Wales.

5 billion; notes that Wales currently suffers from the lowest average rates of pay in Britain and has the highest proportion of individuals affected by cuts to social security including the bedroom tax; further notes that Wales suffers the highest energy bills in the UK and that these, along with low pay, have compounded the cost of living Crisis in Wales; and calls on the Government to immediately scrap the bedroom tax, freeze energy bills and undertake measures to increase pay rates in Wales.

I am proud of what the Welsh Government are doing to respond to the immediate Crisis in Wales.