§ 10. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to establishing a central information service for Welsh industrialists about the opportunities arising from Celtic sea oil exploration.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI am arranging for this suggestion to be looked at in more detail by my Department and the other organisations which might be concerned.
§ Mr. EdwardsI am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Is he aware that one of the most important services that the Government can perform for Wales is to identify the immense opportunities that will arise for Welsh industrialists as a result of oil exploration? Is he further aware that Scottish experience shows that the Government have a key role to play in this direction?
§ Mr. ThomasI was very interested to see the recommendation in the recent CBI report on the opportunities for Welsh industry. I hope that it will be possible to have the CBI ideas discussed in more detail very shortly. The report is a helpful contribution to thinking on the prospects for Welsh industry.