Catalogue description Records of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire

A proposal to set up a Council for Wales and Monmouthshire as an independent body to advise the government, was announced in the House of Commons on 24 November 1948. Its composition was to be representative of industry, agriculture, local authorities, education and other important Welsh interests. On 26 April 1949 the Prime Minister announced the names of the members, and the Council's inaugural meeting was held on 20 May 1949.

The Council, which was reconstituted every three years, held its first business meeting on 23 June 1949 and was eventually dissolved in May 1966, following the establishment of the Welsh Economic Council.

The Council's terms of reference were as follows:

• to meet from time to time and at least quarterly for the interchange of views and information on development and trends in the economic and cultural fields in Wales and Monmouthshire; and
• to ensure the government is adequately informed of the impact of government activities on the general life of the people of Wales and Monmouthshire.

During its period of office the Council set up various panels and committees to investigate more closely various problems affecting Wales. These were as follows with their terms of reference:-

• Agricultural Panel; To consider matters relating to agriculture.
• Cultural Affairs Panel; This panel carried out two investigations, the first being into the Welsh language, and for this purpose a Welsh Language Panel was set up, with the following terms of reference:- To study and report upon the situation of the Welsh Language at present. The second investigation was into the arts in Wales and this panel's terms of reference were: To examine the provisions now made in Wales for the enjoyment and appreciation of the arts, and to consider what changes in present practice and what further provision are practicable and desirable.
• Government Administration Panel; To examine the machinery of Government administration in Wales.
• Industrial Panel; To keep under review the industrial and employment position, including trade and employment at the major ports.
• Marginal Land Panel; To examine the problem of marginal land in Wales.
• Rural Development Panel (incorporating Rural Affairs Panel); To consider the causes of the migration from the Welsh countryside; the practical measures to be taken for improving living conditions in rural Wales consistent with its traditions and culture; the revival of rural industries of the appropriate kind and generally the steps necessary to rehabilitate the rural areas of Wales as a whole.
• Small Sea-Ports and Harbours Panel; To enquire into the causes of the decline of the small sea-ports and to consider the possibilities of their rehabilitation, with particular reference to their potentialities for coasting, fishing and the tourist industry.
• Tourist Industry Panel; To consider, with particular reference to the financial, administrative and other matters involved, the problems of the tourist industry in Wales; to assess the importance of the industry in the Welsh economy; to consider the prospects of developing the industry; to examine the changing trends in the tourist trade and the effect of these changes on the industry in Wales.
• Transport Sub-Committee; To consider matters relating to road and rail transport.
• Transport Panel; To consider matters relating to road, rail and air transport with particular reference to communications and services; (a) in relation to the needs of Welsh industry; (b) in rural areas; (c) between North Wales and South Wales; and (d) between Wales and other parts of Great Britain and countries further afield.
• Unemployment Panel; The unemployment position in Wales, with special reference to unemployment among disabled persons.
• Welsh National Servicemens Committee; To examine the problems encountered by Welsh National Servicemen arising from their nationality.