§ 37. Mr. Gwynfor Evans asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the number of 226 men employed in State-owned manufacturing projects in Wales, for which industrial certificates have been issued since 1964, has now increased; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 3rd March.—[Vol. 742, c. 169.]
§ Mr. EvansIs not the right hon. Gentleman deeply ashamed that a 480 Socialist Government should have been so irresolute and apathetic when confronted with the wretched situation in Wales that, after two and a half years, new State-owned industries and projects still employ only 226 men? Would he not agree that it would require a genius in a Welsh Government to achieve such a resounding failure?
§ Mr. JayThe hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that the total number of people employed in Board of Trade owned factories in Wales is not 226, but 64,000.
§ Mr. EvansOn a point of order. Is it in order for me to say that I quoted the figure of 226 from an Answer given to me by the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is a matter of fact, not of order.
§ Mr. ManuelWill my right hon. Friend tell the hon. Gentleman that the best advice which he can give to Wales is that Welsh industrialists should invest in their own industry and that Wales should not depend on help from outside?