HC Deb 18 October 1982 vol 29 c9
12. Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were unemployed(a)in Merthyr Tydfil,(b)in Mid-Glamorgan and(c)in Wales in September; and what percentage increase these figures represent over those of May 1979.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

On 9 September 1982 the figures were 4,701, 36,164 and 185,611, respectively, an increase of 156.3 per cent., 133.7 per cent. and 123.6 per cent. since May 1979.

Sir Anthony Meyer

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not an abuse of the Order Paper that no fewer than four hon. Members have put down an identical question for which they have clearly merely filled in the form supplied by the Whips?

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Gentleman reads them carefully, he will see that they are not identical.

Mr. Rowlands

Is the right hon. aware that, even since the question was tabled, the proposed closure of half the BSC Dowlais foundry has been announced? That is the last foundry in Wales belonging to BSC. Will he follow the example of his counterpart in Scotland and publicly announce that he will not preside over the further decline and destruction of the steel industry in Wales?

Mr. Edwards

Of course I regret the reduced capacity of Dowlais, but such matters are for the commercial decision of the corporation. It is not part of the wider consideration of the future of BSC's operations, as the hon. Gentleman implied.

Mr. Ray Powell

Is the Secretary of State aware that several factories on the Bridgend trading estate and throughout Wales will close unless he instructs the Welsh Development Agency to stop the escalating rent increases? Some rents have increased by as much as 10 times. Will the right hon. Gentleman do something to alleviate that problem?

Mr. Edwards

Where increases are as high as 10 times, it is because there have not been any rent increases for a considerable period and the rents are well out of line with current market rents.