§ 3. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest assessment of the future economic prospects for Wales.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)The economic prospects of Wales will improve as the wide range 1089 of measures we have adopted to stimulate investment and expand production take effect.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a less inhibited and more coherent economic policy is needed for Wales to eliminate indecision and to offset the harmful effects over the next ten years resulting from accession to the Common Market? Is he further aware that a set of simple financial incentives is available for Welsh industry? Does he appreciate that the most expensive Christmas ever is doing nothing to remove from Wales the blighting shadow of unemployment?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI appreciate that unemployment in Wales is far too high, but I disagree with much of what the hon. Gentleman said, particularly what he said about the Common Market. The Government have done more to get the economy on the move again than have any other Government in any comparable period.
§ Mr. George ThomasIs the Secretary of State aware that, while we note his optimism for the future, it will be cold comfort at Christmas time for the 51,000 unemployed in Wales? When does he expect a reduction in the unemployment figure?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe right hon. Gentleman knows from his own experience that one should never attempt to forecast numbers. It may be said with some degree of confidence that 1972 will see a recovery in output. I have just said that unemployment is much too high, but the seasonally adjusted figure for Wales fell this month.