§ 1. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many established civil servants there are in his Department dealing with regional financial assistance to industry; and what were the figures for the same period in 1987, showing separately in both cases the numbers on temporary transfer (a) from and (b) to that division.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Walker)On 1 July this year there were 86 established civil servants dealing with regional financial assistance. This compares with 80 on 1 July 1987. In neither case were there any staff transferred temporarily from or to the division concerned.
§ Mr. MorganGiven the announcement about the future of the Rover car pressings factory at Llanelli this morning and the loss of 900 jobs there, does the Secretary of State agree that he has grossly underestimated the demand and the need for greater concentration on regional assistance to industry in Wales? Does he agree also that he must abandon all plans to start dispersing civil servants from the Welsh Office industry department later this year?
§ Mr. WalkerI have no such plans. All the staff at the industry department are fully employed and work a great deal of overtime as a result of the substantial number of applications for regional aid that they are processing. I am delighted to say that that will continue. I regret the announcement of any future closure. I hope that the positive approach to regional policy that we are pursuing will assist in finding many more new jobs.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesWith Wales becoming an increasingly attractive place in which to invest, does my right hon. Friend agree that the number of applications for regional assistance is likely to continue to increase? Will he assure me that he will continue to strive to reduce the time spent in processing each application?
§ Mr. WalkerYes, Sir. Applications for regional development grant, for example, are being processed at twice the rate of a year ago. There has been a great improvement. We shall ensure that every endeavour is made to process all applications as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Barry JonesMay I say nuts to the Secretary of State—especially pistachio nuts? Does he know that the Firegreen company has applied to the Welsh Office for a grant, which may lead in the end to 300 jobs, and certainly 770 over 100, in my constituency at Hawarden'? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman carefully to examine the application that has been made? Will he speed up the making of his decision so that the prospect of jobs might be realised?
§ Mr. WalkerThe hon. Gentleman, with his experience, will understand that I cannot comment in detail on a particular application. Queries and inquiries are taking place. I realise the importance of the application, and it is receiving careful consideration in my Department, which is in touch with the firm concerned.