HC Deb 30 March 1981 vol 2 cc4-5
4. Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further progress he has made towards the establishment of a Welsh Resource Centre.

Mr. Michael Roberts

We have no plans to set up a Welsh Resource Centre, but the feasibility of so doing is being studied as part of a research project set up by the Wales TUC. We have made a grant of £40,000 towards the cost of this study.

Mr. Best

Would not the establishment of a Welsh Resource Centre be an ideal way of channelling private funds into future investment in the Principality? Do not the TUC's suggestion and the Government's gracious grant towards the feasibility study show that there is greater awareness and cohesion within Wales and that the TUC is prepared to work with the Government towards the prosperity of Wales? Is that not a welcome advance, upon which the Government could build? It is not necessarily only the Opposition who can co-operate with the Wales TUC.

Mr. Roberts

The Welsh Resource Centre does not exist, but a feasibility study is being conducted by the Wales TUC with the help of a grant from the Welsh Office. There can be no question but that the relationship between the Government and the Wales TUC is excellent. That is demonstrated in many ways, and not least by the splendid work on inward investment done by the chairman of the Wales TUC when he accompanied my right hon. Friend to Japan.