Fonds GB 0210 WRDB - Wales Rural Development Board Inquiry, 1968, records,

The Agriculture Act 1967 aimed to establish a Meat and Livestock Commission, making provisions for the livestock and livestock product industries; it also created a scheme to encouraged individuals to give up uncommercial holdings. Section 45 of the Act gave the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales the power to establish a Rural Development Board to assist in the development of hills and uplands. A Local Public Inquiry was held in 1968 to hear objections to the draft Wales Rural Development Order which envisaged the designation of a substantial area in mid Wales as under the control of a Board. The Inquiry was held by Sir Ben Bowen Thomas. William Mars-Jones, Q. C. (1915-1999), acted as Leading Counsel for the Ministry of Agriculture. The Development Board for Rural Wales was eventually created in 1977, under the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976.