HC Deb 18 October 1982 vol 29 cc10-1
14. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

I have met him on a number of occasions during the summer and arrangements are being made for a formal meeting very soon to discuss the board's affairs.

Mr. Hooson

What stage has been reached in enabling the DBRW to make industrial investment grants in its own right, as the right hon. Gentleman announced in June?

Mr. Edwards

Discussions have been concluded between the board and the Department over the details. I understand that the board intends to announce the new scheme in Cardiff on 2 November.

Dr. Roger Thomas

Will the Secretary of State make a statement on the future of the DBRW in the light of continuing reports about its impending demise?

Mr. Edwards

I do not know who is responsible for those reports, but since the Conservative Party came to office I have repeatedly made it clear that we support the DBRW, not only in words but in deed, and we shall continue to do so.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

When the Secretary of State met him, did the chairman make representations to him about the effect of the Government's policy on the change in development area status? Is it not illogical to have a specialist agency that is not in an assisted area?

Mr. Edwards

The benefits available to the board and within the board's area are substantially greater than those in comparable areas of unemployment in England. The money available under the new scheme and the details that have been agreed mean that the board will have a very effective package to offer incoming investors and those with new projects within the area.

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I was recently fortunate enough to visit rural Wales? Is he further aware that I found the state of the roads quite the best in the whole of the United Kingdom, the fields and hedges exceptionally trim and all the houses well painted? Therefore, will my right hon. Friend tell our Opposition colleagues the true state of affairs in much of Wales?

Mr. Edwards

After those pleasant experiences, I hope that my hon. Friend will go there again.

Mr. Geraint Howells

We are all aware of the excellent work carried out by the DBRW to stem depopulation. In the light of that, is the Secretary of State in a position to give extra financial aid to the board?

Mr. Edwards

The ceiling of £350,000 in the first full year for the new grants is a good deal higher than any recent payments of grant in a single year under the old arrangements.