HC Deb 01 November 1993 vol 231 cc11-2
12. Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average per capita income in the counties of Dyfed and Gwynedd in 1992 compared with (a) the Welsh average, (b) the United Kingdom average and (c) the European average in cash and percentage terms.

Sir Wyn Roberts

The latest available data are for 1990, using gross domestic product per head as the measure. For Dyfed, the per capita income was 13.6 per cent. below the Welsh average, 28.1 per cent. below the United Kingdom average and 27.6 per cent. below the EC average. The corresponding figures for Gwynedd were 1.3 per cent., 17.9 per cent. and 17.3 per cent., respectively.

For the international comparison purposes, GPD per head is calculated in purchasing power units, not in cash terms. This cancels out price differences between member states. In 1990, the GDP per head figures for Dyfed, Gwynedd, Wales, the United Kingdom and the EC were 10,484, 11,977, 12,131, 14,583 and 14,488 units, respectively.

Mr. Ainger

The Minister's reply confirms my worst fears that Dyfed and Gwynedd are among the lowest areas in Europe. From the figures given by the right hon. Gentleman, it would appear that we have the highest levels of poverty and unemployment.

Will the Minister assure me that the review being undertaken within the Welsh Development Agency will include no reduction in the efforts of the agency in trying to improve the situation in the rural parts of Dyfed and of Gwynedd? Does the Minister accept that rumours are circulating that there may be significant cuts in the rural initiative currently being undertaken by the WDA? Will he assure the House that that will not take place, bearing in mind the figures that he has just announced?

Sir Wyn Roberts

We should perhaps also bear it in mind that the cost of living in Wales may be rather lower than in other parts of the country. We should certainly bear it in mind that Wales is one of the most beautiful parts of Europe. I remind the hon. Gentleman of what I said earlier —that since April 1990, earnings have risen by some 21.2 per cent. in Wales compared with 20.4 per cent. in Great Britain. So we are making progress. Of course, it is very much in our interests and it is one of our ends and objectives to raise income levels in Wales.

As for west Wales and the Welsh Development Agency, the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the announcement made in January, which included the upgrading of urban development activities, enhanced rural development facilities in the area, enhanced marketing by the Wales tourist board, improved services to the local business community, and the appointment of an executive to promote inward investment in the area. Two of the travel-to-work areas—Fishguard and Haverfordwest—were upgraded to development area status.

The hon. Gentleman's point about the WDA is a matter for the WDA, but I am sure that it, and we in Government, will bear the hon. Gentleman's thoughts in mind. We are as anxious as he is to do our best by west Wales.