§ 8. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that employment is available for the redundant steelworkers and others within the Ogmore constituency; and by what date this employment will be available.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Welsh Development Agency is building 250,000 sq ft of factory space in the Ogmore constituency over the next two years, with a potential of between 750 and 1,000 jobs. This is in addition to the estimated 2,400 manufacturing jobs in the pipeline for the Port Talbot travel-to-work area over the next three to four years. It is not possible to give an estimate for the constituency itself, but it does form a substantial part of the travel-to-work area.
§ Mr. PowellIt is no wonder that the Secretary of State calls himself a record breaker, because he has broken records in Ogmore. Ogmore had a growth area in Bridgend. The right hon. Gentleman has now committed industrial rape in the area. Last Friday, I received the unemployment figures from the Bridgend job centre. They total 4,000, and 500 students are registered as unemployed, a 1 per cent. increase since June. What will the right hon. Gentleman do about this, and how can those people find jobs within Wales?
§ Mr. EdwardsI know that Bridgend is one of the most attractive locations in South Wales and that new jobs are being created there. I visited Ford of Bridgend last week and saw its successful programme. With the co-operation of the labour force it is close to expanding. I could refer to a number of other successes if I had the time.