MP and author Ted Rowlands

In his new book, the MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Ted Rowlands, describes a 30-year battle as south Wales struggled to receive assistance from Whitehall

Mr Rowlands, who is due to retire from Westminster at the next General Election, has used a large number of previously unreleased documents as part of his research for the project.

South Wales in crisis

In the 1920s and 30s, the number of men employed in the coal industry in south Wales fell from 250,000 to just over 100,000.

The collapse of the iron industry added to the economic crisis.

Mr Rowlands, who was first elected MP for Merthyr Tydfil in 1972, has reviewed the history of the depression period for his book, "Something Must Be Done."

The book reveals that the plan to move the residents of the town had even gone so far as to be costed at �10m.

The King's visit to the area - and increased political pressure - eventually led to a reversal in Government policy and intervention from London to help the people of Merthyr without moving them out.