§ 8. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of firms which have decided to move, within Wales, from areas which no longer attract development grants to development areas or special development areas.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThere is no realistic basis on which to make such an estimate. I am aware of only one company which has decided to move within Wales as a result of the changes in assisted area boundaries and the associated changes in regional development grants.
§ Mr. PowellWill the Minister inform the House whether the Ofrex company is considering moving, perhaps out of Wales? Will he also bear in mind that in the Ogmore constituency it is expected that we shall have 4,000 redundant steel workers as a result of the rundown by the British Steel Corporation at Port Talbot and that we could very well have a further 5,000 redundant miners within the Ogmore constituency? Will he dispel the rumours about the future of the Wyndham Western colliery in the Nant-y-Moel area of the Ogmore valley, which could mean redundancy there and an 12 industrial desert in the Ogmore constituency, because in the Ogmore valley it is the only employer of labour?
§ Mr. EdwardsIt is true that Ofrex Engineering Ltd. has written to me arguing that the changes in policy could influence future development at its premises. I have already said a number of times in the House and elsewhere that we are considering the future of the development area status of the areas affected by steel closures. They cover the areas referred to by the hon. Gentleman. Specific mine closures are a matter for the NCB.
§ Mr. WigleyIs the Secretary of State aware that, even since his visit to my constituency recently, yet another factory has announced its closure—the Spillers factory near Pwllheli? In those circumstances, is not the time right to look at the whole of regional policy and incentives to see whether a new package can be put together in order to maintain, sustain and develop companies in development areas rather than lose them, which is our current experience?
§ Mr. EdwardsAs the hon. Gentleman knows, although regional incentives have an important role to play, they have not been the answer to his particular part of the United Kingdom in the past. They certainly do not offer an automatic solution to the current difficulties that are faced there. But I have already told the hon. Member that I am carefully considering the representations that have been made to me, and I repeat that assurance.