§ 1. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the value of the giants allocated to Wales from the European regional development fund since 1975.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Edwards)A total of £92.5 million.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the size of these and other grants to Wales shows how beneficial it is to the people of Wales that we are members of the Community? Will he take every opportunity to ensure that the people of Wales know the source of these grants?
§ Mr. EdwardsI agree with my hon. Friend. I agree also that inward investment from overseas is substantially dependent upon our membership of the Community.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasHas the Minister quantified the effect on Wales of EEC membership as it affects the steel industry? Will he tell the House particularly whether, in the context of EEC policies, the current reduction in the steel industry in Wales is in line with what is demanded by the Community?
§ Mr. EdwardsI am sure that Wales has benefited from the fact that the Community is seeking measures to control excess capacity in steel making. That must be to the benefit of our industry, which has substantially benefited also from grants and loans to assist both the social consequences of reductions in manning and the general restructuring that is taking place.