§ 19. Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ask the Welsh Council to carry out a survey on the effects upon the Welsh economy of abolishing the regional employment premium.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo, Sir. The council has already given me its views on the future of the premium.
§ Mr. DaviesThe right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer is predictable but disappointing. Will he tell the House whether it is the view of the Welsh Office—his Department—that the abolition of the regional employment premium will be beneficial or detrimental to the Welsh economy?
§ Mr. ThomasI do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman means. The view of the Welsh Office is the view which I expressed as Secretary of State for Wales. I accept that the premium has no doubt been of some value to Wales, but its impact cannot be isolated. What matters is the value of the total package of incentives, and the incentives which the Government have announced are now particularly attractive.