Kuwait and Bahrain

HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc5-6

5. Sir Anthony Meyer

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the Minister of State's recent visit to Kuwait and Bahrain.

Sir Wyn Roberts

I led a trade mission to Kuwait from 5 to 13 November, which gave Welsh companies the opportunity to develop trade links. Twelve companies took part, several of which obtained firm orders, while other business is in the pipeline. While in Kuwait, I represented the United Kingdom at the extinguishing of the last oilwell fire. I also visited Bahrain, where 26 Welsh firms were represented by the Welsh Office and 10 other Welsh firms had exhibition stands, along with a large British contingent exhibiting at the Rebuild Kuwait '91 trade fair.

Sir Anthony Meyer

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the evident, tremendous and burning success of his mission. Could he give us any information on what that mission might represent in terms of increased business, especially for small and medium-sized businesses in Wales?

Sir Wyn Roberts

All the companies either represented by the Welsh Office or exhibiting in the two Gulf states were small or medium sized. We secured orders worth £150,000 during the visit, and there are good prospects for further orders of about £800,000. I hope that additional trade will flow from the mission in the longer term.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The Minister used the word "extinguishing". Shall we not, before long, see the extinguishing—after 13 years—of the three Conservative Governments who have managed to create the current situation in Wales, where gross domestic product per capita is lower than in any other region? After those three Conservative Administrations, Wales—alas—is now the poorest region in Britain.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The question is about Kuwait.

Mr. Davies

It is indeed, but it is also about trade between Kuwait and Wales.

In view of the developments that I have mentioned, why should the people of Wales vote for a fourth Conservative Government?

Sir Wyn Roberts

They will vote for a fourth Conservative Government, because since 1979 the record of the current Government and their predecessors in regard to Wales has been excellent. We have transformed the Welsh economy. We have increased the number of businesses in Wales, VAT registrations are up by 25 per cent., production industries are up by 60 per cent.—twice the United Kingdom average—and the number of self-employed people has increased by 60 per cent. as well.

The reason why we arrange trade missions such as the one that I led to Kuwait—six similar missions have been conducted—is our interest in stimulating orders for the new Welsh economy.