---

Welsh Affairs

I am sorry, but time is short. [Interruption.] No, I am quoting accurately from Conservative policy statements. If the Conservatives were to get into power, cuts would happen—and not only in the areas to which I have referred. I also believe that the NHS would not be safe in Conservative hands. What evidence do I have? Only this afternoon, for example, the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) said that the national health service was based on a plan drawn up by William Beveridge. It was not; Aneurin Bevan, a good Welshman from Tredegar, was the architect of the NHS. Of course, the Conservatives have always been lukewarm with regard to the national health service—that is why they voted against its formation back in 1948, and we will not forget it. It is important that we recognise that there are clear divisions in this House between how we approach the central issues that face this country. This debate, although a good debate, has been a polarised one as well. In the near future, this country, too, will have to make a clear choice between what is on offer from the two main parties. The fundamental choice is between a Labour party that will talk about sensible investment and fairness and a Conservative party that will talk about austerity; a Labour party that will talk about sustained modernisation and a Conservative party that will talk about crude cuts; and a Labour party that will talk about an optimistic future and a Conservative party that will talk about a pessimistic, backward-looking future. With that kind of choice, the people of Wales will wholeheartedly support the party that is represented on the Labour side of the House. That is why I look to the general election, whenever it comes, with confidence. Question put and agreed to.