§ 6. Mr. A. Cecil WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further plans he has for the industrial development of north and west Belfast.
§ Mr. Tim SmithThe Department of Economic Development is setting up an economic working group, comprising its agencies and representatives of local economic development groups, to consider how to encourage more inward investment in north and west Belfast and thus build on recent announcements about new manufacturing projects planning to establish operations in those areas.
§ Mr. WalkerI, too, congratulate the Minister on his appointment. I trust that he will be able to give the same commitment to Northern Ireland as did his two predecessors.
The Minister's answer reflects the efforts of all those involved in the regeneration of west Belfast, including that of the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Dr. Hendron), which deserves special mention. We need confirmation of what is happening and the Minister's assurance in that respect would be most welcome.
§ Mr. SmithI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and certainly hope to emulate the performance of both my predecessors in my support for investment into Belfast. I pay tribute to the work that he has done in that regard and look forward to working with him.