§ 11. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the leaders of local government in Wales to discuss EC matters; and what issues were raised.
§ Mr. RedwoodI last met leaders of local government on 31 October, when I discussed with them structural funds issues and EC initiatives generally.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn those discussions, did the local government leaders point out that more than £45 million of European regional development fund money will be lost to local authorities because of the capping policies of the Welsh Office and the Government? Will the Welsh Office and the Secretary of State now take action to revise the rules to enable local authorities in Wales to utilise fully the money available from Europe for economic and industrial regeneration?
§ Mr. RedwoodI am keen to see that local authorities take the maximum advantage; that is why we changed the system and made it transparent. We have made the credit approvals available for those projects which go ahead. I am working closely with local government to see that it gets the maximum benefit from the system.
§ Mr. Barry JonesHas the Secretary of State received queries from local government about European moneys for next year's roads budget for Wales? Will the right hon. Gentleman assure me that the multi-million pound River Dee crossing scheme will begin next April as promised and that the great road project will not fall victim to the Chancellor's axe in terms of spending next year? Does he appreciate that the building of the crossing is urgently needed on Deeside?
§ Mr. RedwoodI understand that need and I will do the best that I can when I put together the Budget for Wales following the Chancellor's statement. I will take the hon. Gentleman's representations fully into account. He will understand that I cannot give him a 100 per cent. guarantee on any item for next year because we have not yet completed the Budget process.