HC Deb 30 March 1981 vol 2 cc10-1
11. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that there is no duplication of function between the Welsh Development Agency and the industrial section of the Welsh Office which leads to unnecessary bureaucracy and the delaying in processing applications for financial assistance by industrialists.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Wigley

Is the Minister aware that when companies come to new factories in Wales, few though those be these days, they may have to approach both the Welsh Development Agency for the factory and the industrial department of the Welsh Office for grants? There is an independent vetting system for the two applications. If the applications run in sequence rather than in parallel, that can lead to considerable delays and can jeopardise projects as well as involving additional bureaucracy. Will the hon. Gentleman carry out an investigation into the independent vetting systems?

Mr. Roberts

I know what the hon. Gentleman has in mind. We have had conversations about Anon Microelectronics Ltd. However, we must remember that the roles of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency are different. The Welsh Office is concerned with grants that have to be approved by WIDAB. The Welsh Development Agency is concerned with giving loans on a commercial basis. The criteria are different. It is for companies to ensure that the applications either for grant or loan run concurrently. That is a matter for them rather than for me.

Mr. Delwyn Williams

Is not my hon. Friend saddened to think that the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) has not bothered to read the Select Committee's report on employment in Wales, which analysed these matters quite fully and made recommendations?

Mr. Roberts

I do not know whether the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) has read the report. However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that progress is being made with Arfon Microelectronic Ltd. I wrote to its managing director today to tell him that the firm may go ahead with the project, without prejudice, of course, to any grant that may be made later by the Welsh Office.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Is it not a fact that many other recommendations set out in the Select Committee's report have not been implemented by the Government? In view of the mass of closures, liquidations and bankruptcies, will the Government ensure that the WDA and the Welsh Office intervene to prevent further closures in Wales?

Mr. Roberts

The Welsh Office and the WDA work closely together.

Mr. Best

Will my hon. Friend direct his attention to the delay in the payment of regional development grants? I appreciate that the Government's stance is that no exceptions can be made. However, is he aware that in some circumstances future investments in Wales might be lost because of the delay in making payments? Will he consider this factor carefully with my right hon. Friend with a view to providing that in certain circumstances some exceptions can be made?

Mr. Roberts

If my hon. Friend has any specific instances in mind, I shall be happy to consider any written submissions that he makes to me.

Forward to