§ 3. The Problem of Economic Autonomy 

1. What is the situation in industry?

Coal is mined on the coast of Wales on the Bristol Channel. The industrial area of South Wales, including this coal-mining region, covers Glamorganshire, eastern Carmarthenshire, and southern Breconshire. It is linked to the industrial districts of Monmouthshire across the English border. Extensive deposits of iron and coal were the basis of its prosperity during the 19^th century. In later years coal mines were developed in other countries, and oil and water pow­er came into wide use. As a result, there was a drastic decline in coal ex­ports from Wales. Between 1924 and 1936 there were large ‘depressed areas’, where unemployment was almost total. This was a grave problem for the government. The unemployment of miners was particularly hard on the country because approximately one-half of the entire Welsh population was concentrated in Glamorgan County. New industries such as printing and paper making absorbed some of the unemployed miners. Welsh coal is now used for the heavy industries in Wales. An example of this is the large steel mill established at Swansea in recent years.

Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and other Welsh seaports are impor­tant industrial centers, as well as ports. During World War II they suf­fered heavily from German air raids. The ports of Holyhead and Fishguard play an important part in communications between Great Britain and Ireland. 

2. What is the situation in agriculture? 

Most of Wales is a land of small family farms. While agriculture is followed to some extent, many Welsh farmers have turned to stock raising in the valleys and sheep farming on the hills. The turf of the Welsh hills is short, rich, and very sweet. It gives a special flavor to the sheep, and Welsh mutton brings a higher price that any other on the London market. 

      Questions: 

1. What minerals are the basis of the prosperity of Wales in the 19^th century?
2. Why was the unemployment of miners in 1924-1936 particularly hard on the country?
3. What new industries absorbed some of the unemployed miners?
4. Why did many Welsh farmers turn to stock raising and sheep farming?

 Additional Reading                  Energy Inside a Welsh Mountain                   

One of the biggest power-stations in the world is being built in the heart of a Welsh mountain. It uses nei­ther oil nor coal to produce electricity, but the water of a large mountain lake.

In a few thousand years people may discover the machines and won­der what had been happening there. Chief engineer Bill Thompson says that some may think that it was a church. Certainly the large mountain caves remind us of a magnificent cathedral, especially when they are quiet. How­ever, they are usually full of noise: vehicles thundering through the dark tunnels, the noise of pumps, hammering and shouting.

The underground pumped power station is the largest in Europe and is used to produce electricity by pumping water again and again between two lakes. The water is let out through the bottom of the top lake, Machlyn Mawr, and then it passes down to drive the turbines inside the mountain. The water turns the turbines which produce electricity. Afterwards the wa­ter is collected in the bottom lake, Llyn Peris, at the foot of the mountain in the heart of Snowdonia. The turbines then change direction and work as pumps, returning the water to the top lake, ready to be used again.