§ 4. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect the Budget proposals will have on unemployment in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Budget measures will foster economic recovery and assist industry to provide viable and secure employment in Wales as elsewhere.
§ Mr. PowellIs the Secretary of State aware that this week alone there has been the closure of the Christie Tyler factory at Bridgend with the loss of 300 jobs, of Avon Rubber, announced this weekend, with the loss of 260 jobs, and of TMD Sewing Industries in the Ogmore valley with the loss of 43 jobs? Does he realise that that is 600 jobs lost in one week? Does he also realise that the Government's financial policy for industry is destroying the whole Welsh industrial base?
§ Mr. EdwardsI am sure that against that background the hon. Gentleman will have particularly welcomed the reduction of 4,500 in the number of unemployed in Wales.
§ Mr. Delwyn WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the year from the last quarter of 1980 to the last quarter of 1981 manufacturing production in Wales rose by no less than 13 per cent.?
§ Mr. EdwardsI welcome the upturn in industrial production that is taking place, as I welcome the large number of new factories and premises now being opened.