§ 24. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to encourage the development of home-grown manufacturing industry (a) in Wales and (b) in Cardiff, in respect both of new starts and of expansion by existing firms; and what targets he has set for each of the next five years.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Walker)I announced on 13 January my new programme of support for industry in Wales. It included a very large increase in the funds available and the introduction of a number of new initiatives and grant schemes, all of which are 19 available to indigenous Welsh industry. I am confident that the programme will have a major impact on the development of industry and business in Wales as a whole and in Cardiff as a major industrial and commercial centre in the Principality.
§ Mr. MichaelWill the Secretary of State ensure that the initiative to which he referred is complementary to rather than competitive with locally based initiatives, which have had such a success over recent years? Does he accept that locally based initiatives have proved successful and that the efforts by individuals and groups in small initiatives are deserving of nurture and assistance?
§ Mr. WalkerYes, I do. When, recently, I saw the enterprise centre with the hon. Gentleman, I thought that that was a classic example of that initiative being put into practice, with considerable impact. One or two of the biggest successes that we have had recently in inward investment have been due to the combination of local and central Government initiatives, so I intend to do what the hon. Gentleman says.