File A1/376. - Henry Brooke, Minister for Welsh Affairs, Whitehall, London SW1. Thanks for Huw T. Edwards's frank letter. No decision has as ...,

Henry Brooke, Minister for Welsh Affairs, Whitehall, London SW1. Thanks for Huw T. Edwards's frank letter. No decision has as yet been reached concerning the appointment of a Minister of State for Wales, and all the references in the newspapers are pure speculation. The conjecture was initiated by the report of a journalist in the Liverpool Daily Post, who was trying to out-bid the reporting of the Western Mail on this subject. Is glad that he and Huw T. Edwards enjoy such a close rapport, even though they do not agree on every matter. Has told the Prime Minister that he would welcome a private conversation with Huw T. Edwards. The Prime Minister is actually considering the matter at present in the light of all the material which has been presented to him. Hopes that the Prime Minister will agree that the writer should have a private talk with Huw T. Edwards before he sends his reply to the Council. 'Private and Confidential' Written in reply to A2/125.