Industrial Sites (Newport) (Hansard, 2 June 1980)

§ 4. Mr. Roy Hughes
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to allocate more funds for the provision of industrial sites in Newport, Gwent.

§ Mr. Nicholas Edwards
On 4 February I announced a special allocation of £48 million over the next two years for industrial development work in the broad areas of Port Talbot and Newport. It is not possible to allocate further additional funds.

§ Mr. Hughes
Does the Secretary of State appreciate that the development of new sites in Newport is imperative if the town is to withstand the massive loss of jobs caused by steel closures? Does the right hon. Gentleman also appreciate that it is vitally necessary to attract new industry to the area, not only for Newport itself, but for the whole of South-East Wales? Will the Secretary of State at least give a bit of hope to the people there in these dismal times?

§ Mr. Edwards
As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we have announced a major programme covering the whole of South-East Wales. I am glad that he referred to it in those terms because the development that we have announced at Cwmbran is relevant. There are about 100 acres being acquired and developed immediately in Newport and almost 200,000 sq ft of factory space is being developed in the Newport area by the WDA under this programme.

§ Mr. Hooson
As well as recognising the particular needs of Newport will my right hon. Friend also press on with the search for industrial sites in the great region of Blaenau-Gwent?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. That is a separate question altogether. It should be on the Order Paper.

§ Mr. Alan Williams
Does the Secretary of State recollect that it is now a full 1023 six months since I and some of my hon. Friends met him and the Secretary of State for Industry to ask for an upgrading of assisted area status as a result of possible redundancies at Margam and Llanwern——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The same ruling applies to the right hon. Gentleman. This question deals with industrial sites at Newport, Gwent. If there is a question about Margam, it should be on the Order Paper.

§ Mr. Williams
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I make the point that the industrial sites at Newport are highly relevant because I am talking about the link between Margam and Llanwern?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The right hon. Gentleman is wrong. My interpretation is that this is Newport, Gwent. Margam is a separate question and must be put down on the Order Paper.

§ Mr. Williams
Llanwern is not.

§ Mr. Speaker
The right hon. Gentleman did not say Llanwern; he said Margam.

§ Mr. Williams
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am not taking points of order during Question Time. I shall take points of order afterwards.