§ 16. Mr. Ray PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much extra finance is available for any new development in the Ogwr borough area from his Valleys initiative programme.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe level of expenditure in Ogwr will depend to a large extent on the number and quality of projects which come forward from local authorities, industrialists and others in the area over the three years of the Valleys programme. But, there is no doubt the area will benefit. For example, in 1988–89 expenditure on derelict land clearance in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is forecast to be some £400,000—over 50 per cent. up on last year; Welsh Development Agency expenditure on factory building will be about £500,000 compared with nothing at all last year; and urban programme allocations to Ogwr borough council in 1988–89 total some £1.2 million—about 20 per cent. more than last year. In addition, I shall shortly be announcing a new experimental scheme based in the Bridgend area which will aim to improve the link between small businesses and private investors.
§ Mr. PowellIs the Secretary of State aware of the Welsh Institute of Directors' statement last Saturday? Clearly, they are appalled at his suggestion that the Valleys initiative will do anything without cash back-up? Can he explain to the House whether there is any new money for his new initiative? I remind him that in the Ogwr borough 780 area the only new initiative announced is the refurbishment of the Blaengarw working men's hall. The other proposals offered for Ogwr were already on the books long before he announced his Valleys initiative.
§ Mr. WalkerThe hon. Gentleman's constituency benefits massively from the enormous increase in factory building and derelict land clearance. The trouble is that the hon. Gentleman is horrified at the substantial improvements taking place in the valleys.